Detroit, MI, and Northeast Tarrant, TX, present two very different living experiences. Detroit is known for its automotive history and musical legacy while Northeast Tarrant is recognized for its tranquility, low crime rate, and proximity to the dynamic Dallas-Fort Worth metro. Both areas have their unique charms and challenges, which we'll dive into across various factors, including crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, and more.
Detroit has struggled with high crime rates for years, however, recent years have shown significant improvement with declining crime rates. It's crucial to note that crime rates can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood. On the other hand, Northeast Tarrant enjoys a relatively low crime rate, making it a safer option for families and individuals alike.
Cost of Living
One of the key differences is the cost of living. Detroit's cost of living is significantly lower than the U.S. average. In contrast, Northeast Tarrant, due to its proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth, has a higher cost of living, particularly in terms of housing.
Income Tax
Michigan has a flat state income tax rate of 4.25%, whereas Texas does not have a state income tax, making it more attractive for those with higher incomes.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Michigan are typically higher than the national average, while Texas has one of the highest rates in the nation. However, the actual tax burden depends greatly on local rates and home values.
Sales Tax
Both Michigan and Texas have state sales taxes. Michigan's is 6% statewide, while Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax but can add up to 2% in local sales tax, potentially bringing the total to 8.25%.
Income
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Estimated median household income
$36,140
$90,881
Estimated per capita income
$22,122
$45,353
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
94.1
102
If you make $50,000 in Detroit, you will have to make $54,198 in Northeast Tarrant to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Detroit is located on the Detroit River and has a fairly flat geographical landscape, noted for its lakes. Northeast Tarrant, on the other hand, features a mix of flat plains and rolling hills with a number of streams.
Geographical information
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Land area
138.8 sq. miles
206.9 sq. miles
Population density
4,557.7 people per sq. mile
2,284.3 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Detroit, MI Northeast Tarrant, TX
Education
Both regions offer a variety of public and private schools. However, Northeast Tarrant schools generally outperform Detroit schools in terms of test scores and overall performance, making Northeast Tarrant a more attractive option for families prioritizing education.
Detroit's economy heavily revolves around manufacturing and the automotive industry, while Northeast Tarrant benefits from a more diversified economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, education, retail, and professional services.
Biggest Employers
In Detroit, the biggest employers are General Motors, Ford, and the Detroit Medical Center. For Northeast Tarrant, major employers include the Northeast ISD, Six Flags Over Texas, and the American Airlines Group headquartered in Fort Worth.
In Detroit (Wayne County), 73.1% voted for Democrats and 26.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northeast Tarrant (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
2020
68.6%
49.3%
30.4%
49.1%
1.0%
1.6%
2016
66.6%
43.2%
29.4%
51.8%
4.0%
5.0%
2012
73.1%
41.4%
26.2%
57.1%
0.6%
1.4%
2008
74.4%
43.8%
24.7%
55.5%
0.9%
0.7%
2004
69.7%
37.0%
29.9%
62.5%
0.4%
0.5%
2000
69.1%
36.9%
29.1%
60.9%
1.8%
2.3%
1996
69.0%
41.6%
24.0%
50.9%
7.0%
7.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.3%
11.1%
11.2%
1.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
2.2%
2.9%
0.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.5%
0.0%
2.4%
0.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1.2%
0.5%
3.9%
0.9%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.7%
0.3%
2.8%
0.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.5%
0.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.4%
1.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.4%
17.3%
3.2%
33.3%
Weather
You'll experience a broad range of weather in both locations. Detroit has a four-season climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Northeast Tarrant also experiences a four-season climate, but the winters are milder, and the summers can get extremely hot.
Weather and climate
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Temperature - Average
50°F
64.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.3%
71.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
82%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
53%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.6 in
37.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
86.5 in
4.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.7%
22.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
66.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
38%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
69%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
31%
54%
Wind speed - Average
10.2 mph
10.3 mph
Average climate in Detroit, Michigan
Average climate in Northeast Tarrant, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
2018
90
86
0.44
N/A
12.9
5.8
25.8
27.9
N/A
N/A
10.1
9.2
1.1
0.4
2017
87
84
0.56
N/A
12.7
5.9
20.9
28.0
N/A
N/A
10.1
8.6
1.3
0.3
2016
86
75
0.47
N/A
13.2
6.2
22.0
26.4
N/A
N/A
10.9
8.2
0.8
0.2
2015
95
81
0.49
N/A
14.8
6.5
26.5
25.7
N/A
N/A
11.9
8.5
1.2
0.3
2014
95
77
0.48
0.22
14.2
6.6
24.2
27.1
N/A
N/A
12.0
9.4
1.7
0.3
2013
80
95
0.53
0.25
14.4
6.8
24.5
28.0
N/A
N/A
11.0
11.3
1.3
0.2
2012
99
108
0.49
0.26
14.6
8.1
25.7
30.7
N/A
N/A
6.6
10.8
1.7
0.3
2011
94
98
0.32
0.23
12.9
8.0
24.3
30.8
N/A
N/A
6.5
10.2
1.6
0.6
2010
96
76
0.28
0.23
11.8
8.7
24.7
28.0
0.006
N/A
12.1
8.5
1.6
0.7
2009
68
93
0.27
0.25
12.7
8.9
23.4
29.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
1.9
0.5
2008
67
89
0.27
0.25
12.8
9.7
N/A
27.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.4
2.0
0.5
2007
81
91
0.29
0.30
13.7
10.8
25.8
25.1
0.017
N/A
N/A
9.7
N/A
0.3
2006
63
99
0.31
0.34
14.0
10.6
19.8
30.2
0.022
N/A
N/A
9.5
3.2
0.7
2005
83
109
0.36
0.34
17.4
12.3
22.6
29.1
0.019
N/A
N/A
10.7
4.0
0.9
2004
70
90
0.43
0.39
15.0
11.6
N/A
25.7
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
0.8
2003
86
97
0.40
0.40
18.5
12.3
N/A
27.2
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.8
1.0
2002
88
97
0.36
0.37
18.3
13.0
N/A
25.4
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
0.4
2001
83
88
0.36
0.48
19.0
14.3
N/A
26.0
0.020
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
1.0
2000
71
104
0.35
0.55
18.2
14.5
N/A
27.1
0.027
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
1.1
Natural disasters
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
128.5%
252.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
53.2%
578.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
23%
Transportation
Public transportation is more developed in Detroit through the Detroit Department of Transportation and the People Mover system. Northeast Tarrant relies more on cars for transportation, though there is public transportation available via the Trinity Metro.
Transport
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
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 Tarrant
Bicycle
0.5%
0.2%
Bus
4%
0%
Carpooled
7.5%
9.8%
Car alone
83.4%
84.8%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.5%
0.1%
Walked
2.7%
0.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Average
30.6 min
26.8 min
Real Estate
Real estate is more affordable in Detroit, with a mixture of old and new homes. Northeast Tarrant has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in increased real estate demand and prices.
Neighborhoods
Detroit is packed with historical neighborhoods, each with a distinct character. Northeast Tarrant is home to many serene, family-friendly neighborhoods with a more suburban feel.
Houses and residents
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
Houses
322,906
155,788
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.7
Houses occupied
251,729 (78%)
149,489 (96%)
Houses occupied by owners
129,084 (51.3%)
101,491 (67.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
122,645 (48.7%)
47,998 (32.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$798.06
$1,297
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$86,452
$288,870
Estimated median house or condo value
$69,300
$337,949
Median number of rooms in apartments
5
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.5
Renting percentage
48.9%
32.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,326.9
752.8
Household income disparities
49.3%
38.7%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,599 (5.6%)
18,262 (19.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,270 (4.9%)
88 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
43,675 (94.4%)
77,313 (80.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
357 (0.8%)
4,029 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,466 (7.5%)
5,649 (5.9%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
17.1%
0.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,725
11,886
State government workers
8,763
4,379
Unpaid family workers
441
466
Industries and Occupations
Detroit is heavily dependent on the automobile industry, with service and healthcare sectors also playing substantial roles. Conversely, Northeast Tarrant has an economy rooted in a diverse range of sectors such as healthcare, retail, education, and professional services.
Both Detroit and Northeast Tarrant have access to quality healthcare facilities. Detroit is home to any large hospitals, while Northeast Tarrant residents often travel to nearby Dallas or Fort Worth for major medical services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Infrastructure-wise, Detroit has been wrestling with aging and underfunded infrastructure, while Northeast Tarrant has newer infrastructure overall due to its surge in population and development in recent years.
Infrastructure
Type
Detroit
Northeast Tarrant
TV stations
16
25
Culture and Food
Detroit is known for its rich musical history, museums, and delicious coney dogs. Northeast Tarrant offers a mix of Southern and Tex-Mex influences with famous Texas BBQ and diverse community events.
Sports Teams
Sports fanatics will enjoy Detroit's professional football, basketball, baseball, and hockey teams. On the other hand, Northeast Tarrant residents can cheer on the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks.
Detroit, MI
Northeast Tarrant, TX
Detroit, MI and 
Northeast Tarrant, TX : 1,010.6 miles
