Comparing Detroit, Michigan, and Louisville, Kentucky, can provide valuable insights for those contemplating relocation or just planning a visit. Both cities have unique characteristics, with each providing different offerings in terms of safety, weather, cost of living, education, and more. This article delves into these areas in detail to help you make an informed decision.
Detroit, MI, has been working hard to shed its reputation for high crime rates. Although the city still struggles with crime in specific areas, significant improvements have been made. Visitors and new residents should be aware of where they are going and take precautions where necessary. Louisville, KY, in comparison, generally presents fewer crime-related risks, though some areas would benefit from more heightened vigilance. The crime rates in both cities can be neighborhood-specific, so researching before moving or visiting is highly recommended.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Detroit is usually lower than in Louisville. Detroit is often noted for affordable housing options, but groceries, utilities, and healthcare are comparable to the national average. Louisville, while not excessively expensive, does have a slightly higher overall cost of living attributable to housing costs.
Income Tax
Detroit residents pay a city income tax of 2.4% for residents, 1.2% for non-residents. In Louisville, there's no city income tax, but a state income tax of 5%.
Property Tax
Detroit's property tax is on the higher side than the national average, typically charged at rates well above 2% of assessed value. In contrast, Louisville's property tax rates are far lower, generally below 1% of a property's assessed value.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Detroit is 6%, which goes entirely to the state since Michigan does not allow city-level sales taxes. Louisville's sales tax rate is also 6%, with no city-level sales tax.
Income
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Estimated median household income
$36,140
$44,270
Estimated per capita income
$22,122
$29,894
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
94.1
94.1
If you make $50,000 in Louisville, you will have to make $50,000 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Detroit is located in southeast Michigan, by the Detroit River, with a mostly flat landscape. Louisville is located along the Ohio River in north-central Kentucky, characterized by both flat areas and hills.
Both cities are home to some excellent educational institutions. Detroit has a significant number of public, charter, and private schools and is home to Wayne State University. Louisville offers Jefferson County Public Schools, a variety of private schools, and institutions of higher learning like the University of Louisville.
Detroit has a powerful automotive industry. It's home to the "Big Three" — General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. However, the city has also been diversifying into sectors such as technology and healthcare. Louisville is known for its shipping and cargo industry, prominently UPS, and a strong healthcare sector. Both cities offer varying job prospects depending on skills and industry.
Biggest Employers
In Detroit, the biggest employers include the Big Three automotive companies, Quicken Loans, and Detroit Medical Center. In Louisville, UPS, Ford Motor Company, and the Norton Healthcare system top the list.
There were 10 building permits issued in Detroit in 2012 (8 less than in 2011) compared to 47 building permits issued in Louisville in 2012 (47 more than in 2011).
In Detroit (Wayne County), 73.1% voted for Democrats and 26.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Louisville (Jefferson County), 55.0% voted for Democrats and 43.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
2020
68.6%
59.2%
30.4%
39.1%
1.0%
1.7%
2016
66.6%
54.1%
29.4%
40.8%
4.0%
5.2%
2012
73.1%
55.0%
26.2%
43.8%
0.6%
1.2%
2008
74.4%
55.6%
24.7%
43.5%
0.9%
0.9%
2004
69.7%
50.6%
29.9%
48.9%
0.4%
0.5%
2000
69.1%
49.8%
29.1%
48.2%
1.8%
2.0%
1996
69.0%
51.5%
24.0%
41.0%
7.0%
7.4%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.3%
16.3%
11.2%
8.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
0.9%
2.9%
1.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.5%
0.2%
2.4%
0.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1.2%
0.2%
3.9%
0.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.7%
0.4%
2.8%
1.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.9%
2.5%
2.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.4%
1.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.4%
14.3%
3.2%
25.0%
Weather
Weather-wise, Detroit experiences a cold, snowy winter and a warm, pleasantly hot summer. It lies in the humid continental climate zone. Louisville, on the other hand, sits in a humid subtropical climate zone, with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters with occasional periods of cold and snow.
Weather and climate
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Temperature - Average
50°F
56.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.3%
73.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
35%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
53%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.6 in
43.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
86.5 in
31.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.7%
15.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
59.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
38%
25%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
69%
66%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
31%
41%
Wind speed - Average
10.2 mph
8.4 mph
Average climate in Detroit, Michigan
Average climate in Louisville, Kentucky
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
Detroit
Louisville
2018
90
89
0.44
0.27
12.9
11.9
25.8
25.5
N/A
N/A
18.2
N/A
10.1
9.7
1.1
0.8
2017
87
77
0.56
0.27
12.7
12.2
20.9
26.5
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
10.1
9.2
1.3
0.6
2016
86
91
0.47
0.30
13.2
11.6
22.0
26.7
N/A
N/A
15.9
N/A
10.9
9.0
0.8
0.6
2015
95
92
0.49
0.31
14.8
12.3
26.5
25.4
N/A
N/A
17.4
N/A
11.9
10.7
1.2
1.0
2014
95
92
0.48
0.32
14.2
12.8
24.2
26.1
N/A
N/A
18.3
N/A
12.0
12.0
1.7
2.0
2013
80
83
0.53
N/A
14.4
N/A
24.5
27.8
N/A
N/A
16.9
N/A
11.0
12.0
1.3
2.1
2012
99
102
0.49
N/A
14.6
N/A
25.7
26.2
N/A
N/A
19.2
N/A
6.6
12.7
1.7
2.6
2011
94
111
0.32
N/A
12.9
N/A
24.3
26.9
N/A
N/A
19.7
N/A
6.5
13.3
1.6
3.1
2010
96
109
0.28
N/A
11.8
N/A
24.7
27.3
0.006
N/A
21.7
N/A
12.1
13.2
1.6
3.1
2009
68
90
0.27
N/A
12.7
13.6
23.4
27.5
N/A
N/A
18.9
N/A
N/A
13.4
1.9
3.1
2008
67
101
0.27
0.35
12.8
15.5
N/A
29.6
N/A
N/A
20.6
N/A
N/A
15.0
2.0
4.3
2007
81
111
0.29
0.44
13.7
15.9
25.8
32.0
0.017
N/A
24.0
N/A
N/A
14.8
N/A
5.9
2006
63
80
0.31
0.66
14.0
15.2
19.8
26.5
0.022
N/A
22.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2
3.7
2005
83
86
0.36
0.39
17.4
16.9
22.6
27.4
0.019
N/A
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.0
4.1
2004
70
77
0.43
0.36
15.0
16.8
N/A
26.2
0.014
N/A
22.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
4.6
2003
86
83
0.40
0.46
18.5
17.9
N/A
24.6
0.013
N/A
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.8
5.0
2002
88
95
0.36
0.49
18.3
17.6
N/A
27.2
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
4.4
2001
83
95
0.36
0.56
19.0
18.2
N/A
28.3
0.020
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
5.6
2000
71
103
0.35
0.53
18.2
15.7
N/A
27.8
0.027
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
7.6
Natural disasters
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
128.5%
165.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
53.2%
213%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
17%
Transportation
Detroit relies heavily on personal vehicles, with a less extensive public transportation system. Conversely, Louisville offers a more comprehensive public transport network, but commute times are comparable in both cities.
Transport
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
93
655
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
3
4
Means of transportation to work
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Bicycle
0.5%
0.4%
Bus
4%
6.7%
Carpooled
7.5%
12.6%
Car alone
83.4%
73.5%
Taxicab
0.5%
0.1%
Walked
2.7%
4.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Average
30.6 min
21.1 min
Real Estate
Real estate prices in Detroit are generally lower than in Louisville. Detroit offers investment opportunities in real estate due to lower property values. However, Louisville's real estate market is considered more stable with consistent growth.
Neighborhoods
Detroit's neighborhoods, such as Downtown, Midtown, and Corktown, offer unique cultural experiences. Louisville presents The Highlands, Old Louisville, and East Market District as popular neighborhoods with diverse atmospheres.
Houses and residents
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Houses
322,906
121,107
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.2
Houses occupied
251,729 (78%)
111,354 (91.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
129,084 (51.3%)
58,481 (52.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
122,645 (48.7%)
52,873 (47.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$798.06
$753.66
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$86,452
$198,186
Estimated median house or condo value
$69,300
$180,781
Median number of rooms in apartments
5
3.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
5.5
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,326.9
1,949.6
Household income disparities
49.3%
50.8%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,599 (5.6%)
19,560 (37%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,270 (4.9%)
121 (0.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
43,675 (94.4%)
33,359 (63%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
357 (0.8%)
4,661 (8.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,466 (7.5%)
4,100 (7.7%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
17.1%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,725
5,520
State government workers
8,763
5,067
Unpaid family workers
441
295
Industries and Occupations
Detroit's primary industries revolve around automotive manufacturing, technology, and healthcare. Louisville, meanwhile, excels in outsize sectors such as shipping and cargo handling, healthcare, and manufacturing (from household appliances to whiskey).
Both cities offer commendable healthcare systems, with Detroit's healthcare spearheaded by the Detroit Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System. Louisville boasts of the Norton Healthcare system and several hospitals ranking high in national surveys.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Detroit
Louisville
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Detroit's infrastructure leans heavily on its robust network of highways and freeways, catering mostly to drivers. Louisville, in contrast, has been investing in multi-modal infrastructure, offering biking lanes and public transport in addition to road networks.
Infrastructure
Type
Detroit
Louisville
Hospitals
41
20
TV stations
16
14
Arenas or stadiums
4
2
Bank branches located here
98
255
Bank institutions located here
12
25
Main business address for public companies
11
31
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Detroit
Louisville
1999
2,901
879
2000
4,079
799
2001
3,815
535
2002
3,247
490
2003
5,511
639
2004
9,068
881
2005
13,958
1,116
2006
16,654
1,037
2007
10,742
685
2008
2,823
397
2009
484
253
Culture and Food
Detroit is known for its unique Motown sound and vibrant arts scene. Its food scene is diverse, offering famous Detroit-style pizza and Coney dogs. Louisville boasts a rich cultural heritage with close ties to bluegrass music and bourbon. Its food culture is highlighted by the Hot Brown sandwich and an array of Southern-style dishes.
Sports Teams
Detroit is home to four major league sports teams: The Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Pistons (NBA), Detroit Tigers (MLB), and Detroit Red Wings (NHL). In Louisville, the University of Louisville's teams are popular, but it lacks a major league team.
Detroit, MI
Louisville, KY
Detroit, MI and 
Louisville, KY : 319.3 miles
