Detroit, Michigan, and Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee, are two diverse cities with their own unique characteristics. Both cities have dynamic histories and contribute significantly to American culture. Detroit is traditionally an industrial city while Nashville is known for its music and health care industries. This comparison will provide insight into factors ranging from crime rates to culture, and might aid individuals considering relocation or a visit.
Distance between
Detroit, MI and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 472.9 miles
Nashville-Davidson's population is larger by 7%. Its population has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) since 2000. The population of Detroit has decreased by 318,806 people (33.5%) during that time.
Comparatively, Detroit has a higher crime rate than Nashville. However, Detroit has seen a steady decrease in crime rates over recent years. It's essential to remember that crime varies between neighborhoods in both cities, and many areas are considered safe and family-friendly.
In Nashville, the crime rate is lower but above the national average. Downtown Nashville and surrounding neighborhoods have improved safety standards over the years.
Cost of Living
Both cities are affordable compared to many US cities, but the cost of living in Detroit is generally lower. This difference is most noticeable in housing costs. Despite the lower cost of living, Detroit has a higher poverty rate than Nashville.
Income Tax
Michigan has a flat state income tax rate of 4.25%, and Detroit has an additional city tax. Nashville residents do not pay state income tax, making it an appealing city for retirees and high-income earners.
Property Tax
Detroit property taxes are higher than in Nashville. However, the lower house prices can offset this difference. Nashville property taxes are lower, but homeowners pay more due to the higher cost of properties.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Detroit is 6% and there is no city level additional tax. Nashville, however, has a higher combined rate of 9.25% with the state's part of 7% and Davidson county's part of 2.25%.
Income
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$36,140
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$22,122
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
94.1
90.9
If you make $50,000 in Nashville-Davidson, you will have to make $51,760 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Detroit sits on the Detroit River, with a flat, urban topography. Nashville, aka "Music City", is located on the Cumberland River, with a varied landscape including rolling hills and fertile farmlands.
Both cities have access to quality universities and research institutions. Detroit is home to Wayne State University, while Nashville houses Vanderbilt University, a top-ranking national university. Both cities have public school systems with varying performance levels.
Detroit is known for its automotive industry. Still, its economy has diversified into health care, technology, and other sectors. Nashville's economy is robust, with strong sectors in health care, music, publishing, banking, and transportation.
Biggest Employers
General Motors and Detroit Medical Center are among the largest employers in Detroit. In Nashville, the largest employers are Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nissan North America, and HCA Healthcare.
There were 10 building permits issued in Detroit in 2012 (8 less than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In Detroit (Wayne County), 73.1% voted for Democrats and 26.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
2020
68.6%
65.0%
30.4%
32.6%
1.0%
2.3%
2016
66.6%
60.1%
29.4%
34.1%
4.0%
5.7%
2012
73.1%
58.5%
26.2%
39.9%
0.6%
1.6%
2008
74.4%
60.0%
24.7%
39.0%
0.9%
1.0%
2004
69.7%
54.9%
29.9%
44.6%
0.4%
0.4%
2000
69.1%
57.9%
29.1%
40.4%
1.8%
1.7%
1996
69.0%
79.3%
24.0%
18.1%
7.0%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.3%
4.9%
11.2%
2.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
0.8%
2.9%
1.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.5%
0.1%
2.4%
0.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1.2%
0.3%
3.9%
0.9%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.7%
0.2%
2.8%
0.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.5%
2.5%
1.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
1.1%
1.4%
1.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.4%
14.1%
3.2%
19.6%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.1%
1.3%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.8%
0.0%
0.9%
Weather
Detroit experiences a humid continental climate with four distinctive seasons. Winters can be bitterly cold and snowy, while summers are warm to hot. Nashville, meanwhile, exhibits a humid subtropical climate. Winters are typically mild and summers are hot and humid. Nashville sees more annual rainfall, while Detroit receives more snow.
Weather and climate
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
50°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.3%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
53%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.6 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
86.5 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.7%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
38%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
69%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
31%
42%
Wind speed - Average
10.2 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Detroit, Michigan
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
2018
90
71
0.44
0.40
12.9
13.8
25.8
24.1
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
10.1
9.2
1.1
0.2
2017
87
70
0.56
0.38
12.7
14.4
20.9
26.8
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
10.1
8.7
1.3
0.1
2016
86
90
0.47
0.42
13.2
16.1
22.0
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
10.1
0.8
0.0
2015
95
68
0.49
0.43
14.8
15.5
26.5
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
10.8
1.2
0.1
2014
95
66
0.48
N/A
14.2
N/A
24.2
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.0
9.8
1.7
1.4
2013
80
62
0.53
N/A
14.4
N/A
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
9.7
1.3
N/A
2012
99
81
0.49
N/A
14.6
N/A
25.7
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.6
11.0
1.7
2.3
2011
94
81
0.32
N/A
12.9
N/A
24.3
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.5
11.0
1.6
1.7
2010
96
80
0.28
N/A
11.8
N/A
24.7
24.3
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
12.2
1.6
2.2
2009
68
72
0.27
N/A
12.7
N/A
23.4
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.5
1.9
2.4
2008
67
81
0.27
N/A
12.8
N/A
N/A
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.4
2.0
2.5
2007
81
99
0.29
N/A
13.7
N/A
25.8
27.4
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.5
N/A
2.7
2006
63
93
0.31
0.69
14.0
N/A
19.8
24.9
0.022
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.9
3.2
2.9
2005
83
104
0.36
0.56
17.4
N/A
22.6
23.5
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.9
4.0
3.1
2004
70
83
0.43
0.61
15.0
N/A
N/A
22.0
0.014
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
2.6
2003
86
93
0.40
0.67
18.5
N/A
N/A
18.5
0.013
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
4.8
3.8
2002
88
92
0.36
0.67
18.3
N/A
N/A
20.2
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
4.3
4.3
2001
83
95
0.36
0.89
19.0
N/A
N/A
19.5
0.020
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
4.4
4.5
2000
71
97
0.35
0.74
18.2
N/A
N/A
19.8
0.027
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
128.5%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
53.2%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
17%
Transportation
Detroit's public transit system (DDOT) and the modern QLine streetcar service the city, along with several highways for commuting. Nashville also offers public transit via the Metro Transit Authority, and has many walkable neighborhoods.
Transport
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
93
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
3
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.5%
0.3%
Bus
4%
1.2%
Carpooled
7.5%
9.8%
Car alone
83.4%
85.5%
Taxicab
0.5%
0.1%
Walked
2.7%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Average
30.6 min
31.3 min
Other means
26 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
47.7 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
87.1%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
10.5%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
1%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is very affordable in Detroit, particularly relative to national standards. Nashville's real estate market is pricier, but still deemed modest compared to other major cities, and it has rapidly appreciated over the years due to the city's growth.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer a variety of neighborhoods to suit all lifestyles. From Detroit's bustling Midtown to Nashville's charming East Nashville, there is a neighborhood for everyone.
Houses and residents
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
322,906
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.3
Median year apartment built
1953
1986
Median year house/condo built
1946
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.7 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
251,729 (78%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
129,084 (51.3%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
122,645 (48.7%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$798.06
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$755
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$86,452
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$69,300
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
5.7
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
5
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$96,752
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$72,631
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$183,952
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$242,851
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$43,864
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$128,652
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$101,554
$412,434
Median house age
74
35
Renting percentage
48.9%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,326.9
699.9
House value disparities
48.4%
31%
Household income disparities
49.3%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$61,259
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$38,901
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
2,599 (5.6%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,270 (4.9%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
43,675 (94.4%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
357 (0.8%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,466 (7.5%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
4
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
17.1%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
13.6%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
66.0%
50.9%
One, attached
6.1%
8.4%
Two
6.5%
3.3%
3 or 4
2.7%
3.1%
5 to 9
2.2%
7.1%
10 to 19
2.7%
8.7%
20 to 49
3.9%
5.3%
50 or more
9.4%
11.9%
Mobile homes
0.5%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,725
31,952
State government workers
8,763
15,693
Unpaid family workers
441
463
Industries and Occupations
Detroit's major industries include auto manufacturing, health care and technology. Nashville is known for music, health care, financial services and higher education. Both cities offer a range of opportunities depending on one's occupation and skills.
Healthcare in Detroit is anchored by the Detroit Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System. Nashville, known as the "healthcare capital", is home to numerous hospitals, including the highly acclaimed Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Detroit has undergone significant infrastructure development in recent years, with improvements in public transit and urban revitalization projects. Nashville's infrastructure, particularly its healthcare facilities and roadways, are well-regarded nationally.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Detroit
Nashville-Davidson
1999
2,901
2,397
2000
4,079
1,451
2001
3,815
1,130
2002
3,247
1,075
2003
5,511
2,231
2004
9,068
2,731
2005
13,958
3,231
2006
16,654
3,720
2007
10,742
2,419
2008
2,823
952
2009
484
532
Culture and Food
Detroit's culture is rooted in auto manufacturing, music (Motown), and sports, and it offers a diverse culinary scene. Nashville is renowned for its music scene, particularly country music and boasts a culinary scene with famous barbecue and hot chicken.
Sports Teams
Detroit is home to four major sports teams: the Lions (NFL), Tigers (MLB), Pistons (NBA), and Red Wings (NHL). Nashville has the Titans (NFL) and Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS). Both cities have passionate fan bases and modern sports venues.
Detroit, MI and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 472.9 miles
Detroit, MI and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 472.9 miles
