Detroit, Michigan, historically known for its rich automotive and music history, and Northeast Jefferson, Colorado, boasting a tranquil setting and prosperous job market, offer unique lifestyles. While Detroit provides urban vibrancy and cultural diversity, Northeast Jefferson offers a quieter, more suburban lifestyle with scenic natural surroundings. Whether you're planning to relocate or visit as a tourist, adjusting to either place can be a unique adventure.
Detroit has struggled with high crime rates for years, however, efforts have constantly been made to improve public safety, with some neighborhoods experiencing downward trends in crime. Conversely, Northeast Jefferson tends to have significantly lower crime rates, favoring especially those concerned about safety. Tourists are urged to stay vigilant in any city they visit.
Cost of Living
Detroit presents a lower cost of living compared to Northeast Jefferson. Affordable housing, groceries, and utilities contribute to a manageable financial burden. On the flip side, Northeast Jefferson, located in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S., has higher living expenses.
Income Tax
Michigan levies a flat income tax rate of 4.25%, and Detroit adds a 2.4% city tax for residents. In Colorado, the state income tax stands at a flat 4.63% with no additional city tax in Northeast Jefferson.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Detroit are relatively high, while Northeast Jefferson tends towards lower property taxes, corroborating Colorado’s reputation for having some of the lowest property taxes in the country.
Sales Tax
Detroit residents face a 6% sales tax, while Northeast Jefferson encounters a higher rate in the 7.5% - 8.5% range, stemming from the state, county, and cities.
Income
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Estimated median household income
$36,140
$91,025
Estimated per capita income
$22,122
$46,835
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
94.1
119.7
If you make $50,000 in Detroit, you will have to make $63,603 in Northeast Jefferson to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Detroit, known as the 'Motor City', is mostly flat terrain, located in the Midwest with access to the Great Lakes. Northeast Jefferson, however, is characterized by mountainous landscapes with proximity to the Rocky Mountains, attracting nature lovers.
Geographical information
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Land area
138.8 sq. miles
172.8 sq. miles
Population density
4,557.7 people per sq. mile
2,615.1 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Detroit, MI Northeast Jefferson, CO
Education
Both cities prioritize education. Detroit houses numerous public and charter schools, as well as reputable universities like Wayne State. Northeast Jefferson is part of the Jefferson County School District, one of the largest and most diverse in the state, with a focus on high-achieving schools.
Detroit's economy is anchored by the auto industry, health services, and technology. Despite past economic troubles, its unemployment rate has been converging towards the national average recently. Northeast Jefferson, part of the Denver metropolitan area, benefits from a diverse economy including sectors like technology, tourism, and finance.
Biggest Employers
In Detroit, major employers include General Motors and Ford, health systems like Henry Ford and Detroit Medical Center, and Quicken Loans. Northeast Jefferson offers employment opportunities at major companies like Lockheed Martin, Comcast, and Ball Corporation.
In Detroit (Wayne County), 73.1% voted for Democrats and 26.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northeast Jefferson (Jefferson County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 46.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
2020
68.6%
58.3%
30.4%
39.7%
1.0%
2.0%
2016
66.6%
49.2%
29.4%
42.3%
4.0%
8.6%
2012
73.1%
51.6%
26.2%
46.7%
0.6%
1.8%
2008
74.4%
54.0%
24.7%
44.9%
0.9%
1.1%
2004
69.7%
46.9%
29.9%
52.1%
0.4%
1.0%
2000
69.1%
43.0%
29.1%
51.1%
1.8%
5.9%
1996
69.0%
42.7%
24.0%
48.4%
7.0%
8.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.3%
15.0%
11.2%
5.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
0.1%
2.9%
0.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.5%
0.0%
2.4%
0.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1.2%
1.1%
3.9%
3.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.7%
1.7%
2.8%
4.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
2.5%
2.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.4%
2.1%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.4%
1.2%
3.2%
7.5%
Weather
Detroit experiences the full range of seasons, with hot summers and cold, snow-filled winters. In contrast, Northeast Jefferson boasts a milder climate, with cooler summers and less frequent snowfall, making it a preferred destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Weather and climate
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Temperature - Average
50°F
47.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.3%
50.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
20%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
55%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
53%
35%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.6 in
17.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
86.5 in
114 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.7%
19.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
75.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
38%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
69%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
31%
64%
Wind speed - Average
10.2 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Detroit, Michigan
Average climate in Northeast Jefferson, Colorado
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
2018
90
104
0.44
0.40
12.9
22.3
25.8
34.9
N/A
N/A
29.2
N/A
10.1
8.4
1.1
0.7
2017
87
97
0.56
0.40
12.7
22.5
20.9
34.5
N/A
N/A
22.0
N/A
10.1
8.2
1.3
0.8
2016
86
90
0.47
0.44
13.2
24.4
22.0
34.3
N/A
N/A
22.6
N/A
10.9
7.8
0.8
1.0
2015
95
101
0.49
0.45
14.8
24.1
26.5
32.8
N/A
N/A
21.0
N/A
11.9
9.5
1.2
1.0
2014
95
94
0.48
0.45
14.2
23.4
24.2
33.1
N/A
N/A
25.0
N/A
12.0
10.1
1.7
1.3
2013
80
84
0.53
0.40
14.4
21.0
24.5
33.6
N/A
N/A
24.3
N/A
11.0
N/A
1.3
1.5
2012
99
91
0.49
0.34
14.6
18.9
25.7
33.4
N/A
N/A
24.4
N/A
6.6
N/A
1.7
1.3
2011
94
90
0.32
0.34
12.9
18.1
24.3
32.0
N/A
N/A
23.8
N/A
6.5
N/A
1.6
1.5
2010
96
79
0.28
0.42
11.8
16.3
24.7
29.2
0.006
N/A
26.5
N/A
12.1
N/A
1.6
1.0
2009
68
76
0.27
0.38
12.7
14.1
23.4
27.9
N/A
0.005
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.3
2008
67
85
0.27
0.42
12.8
17.3
N/A
30.8
N/A
0.008
25.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
1.6
2007
81
96
0.29
0.39
13.7
20.6
25.8
29.0
0.017
0.007
29.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.2
2006
63
89
0.31
0.46
14.0
19.0
19.8
29.5
0.022
0.027
28.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2
1.4
2005
83
86
0.36
0.51
17.4
21.3
22.6
26.0
0.019
0.119
29.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.0
1.5
2004
70
82
0.43
0.53
15.0
21.2
N/A
24.2
0.014
0.043
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
1.8
2003
86
106
0.40
0.52
18.5
21.2
N/A
25.9
0.013
0.046
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.8
1.9
2002
88
86
0.36
0.60
18.3
19.2
N/A
25.6
0.019
0.031
35.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
2.4
2001
83
95
0.36
0.69
19.0
20.8
N/A
23.7
0.020
0.034
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
2.6
2000
71
94
0.35
0.70
18.2
11.7
N/A
24.5
0.027
0.037
12.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
128.5%
118.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
53.2%
826.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
12%
Transportation
Both cities offer reliable public transit systems. Detroit has a people mover system, QLine streetcar, and buses, while Northeast Jefferson relies on the extensive RTD transit system, providing bus and light-rail services.
Transport
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
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
Northeast Jefferson
Bicycle
0.5%
0.3%
Bus
4%
3.2%
Carpooled
7.5%
10%
Car alone
83.4%
80.3%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.5%
0.1%
Walked
2.7%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Average
30.6 min
26.6 min
Real Estate
Detroit offers affordable real-estate options, but buyer caution is advised due to varying neighborhood qualities. Northeast Jefferson has higher home prices reflecting its rapidly growing and highly desired metro area.
Neighborhoods
From the culturally rich Midtown to the historic Corktown, Detroit's neighborhoods reflect its diverse community. Northeast Jefferson, offering a quieter lifestyle with suburban neighborhoods like Arvada and Westminster, suits families and individuals seeking peace and tranquility.
Houses and residents
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
Houses
322,906
180,978
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.4
Houses occupied
251,729 (78%)
176,726 (97.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
129,084 (51.3%)
125,208 (70.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
122,645 (48.7%)
51,518 (29.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$798.06
$1,659
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$86,452
$884,573
Estimated median house or condo value
$69,300
$522,903
Median number of rooms in apartments
5
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
7.3
Renting percentage
48.9%
31.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,326.9
1,047.5
Household income disparities
49.3%
40.7%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,599 (5.6%)
21,689 (19.3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,270 (4.9%)
469 (0.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
43,675 (94.4%)
90,716 (80.7%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
357 (0.8%)
9,124 (8.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,466 (7.5%)
16,287 (14.5%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
17.1%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,725
15,916
State government workers
8,763
7,028
Unpaid family workers
441
382
Industries and Occupations
Detroit remains a major manufacturing hub, with jobs extending beyond the automobile industry into healthcare, tech, and entertainment. Northeast Jefferson's economy stands on a broad range of sectors including environmental technology, healthcare, and finance.
With top-rated hospitals like the Detroit Medical Center and Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit ensures quality healthcare. Northeast Jefferson, too, provides high-quality healthcare services, being part of an area with multiple acclaimed medical facilities.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Detroit has an aging infrastructure but with significant developments underway to modernize its amenities. In contrast, Northeast Jefferson features newer infrastructure, with regular upgrades to meet the needs of its growing population.
Infrastructure
Type
Detroit
Northeast Jefferson
TV stations
16
19
Culture and Food
Detroit, birthplace of Motown, boasts a robust music and arts scene, with an eclectic mix of food options. Northeast Jefferson offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and a food scene with a healthy bend, reflecting Colorado's love for nature and wellness.
Sports Teams
Detroit is renowned for its passionate sports culture, hosting teams in all four major sports leagues: Detroit Tigers (MLB), Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Pistons (NBA), and Detroit Red Wings (NHL). Northeast Jefferson residents support their sports teams located in Denver, such as the Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA), and Colorado Avalanche (NHL).
Detroit, MI
Northeast Jefferson, CO
Detroit, MI and 
Northeast Jefferson, CO : 1,157.3 miles
