Comparing the two, Detroit, MI and North Hempstead, NY are both unique, offering different lifestyles with unique draws and challenges. While Detroit is known for its automotive legacy and music culture, North Hempstead represents a more affluent suburban lifestyle with primary emphasis on nautical activities and a significant health care industry.
Distance between
Detroit, MI and
North Hempstead, NY : 499.9 miles
Detroit's population is larger by 180%. Its population has decreased by 318,806 people (33.5%) since 2000. The population of North Hempstead has grown by 3,711 people (1.7%) during that time.
Living in Detroit is generally deemed riskier, with crime rates regularly above the national average. Although conditions have improved in recent years, individual safety remains a concern to residents and tourists. North Hempstead, NY, on the other hand, has been referred to as one of the safest communities in America, with crime rates significantly below national averages.
Cost of Living
Life in Detroit is generally less expensive, with a cost of living that is below the national average. Conversely, North Hempstead is considered one of the most expensive places in the nation to live due to hefty house prices and high living expenses.
Income Tax
Michigan's state income tax, which affects Detroit, is a flat rate for all levels of income, while New York follows a graduated system. Although North Hempstead residents may fall into a higher tax bracket, they also typically have higher wages to offset the cost.
Property Tax
Property taxes are notably higher in New York State compared to Michigan. Thus, homeowners in North Hempstead will usually pay significantly more than homeowners in Detroit.
Sales Tax
Sales tax for Detroit is significantly lower compared to North Hempstead’s New York rate. This makes consumer goods more affordable in Detroit.
Income
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Estimated median household income
$36,140
$141,417
Estimated per capita income
$22,122
$71,121
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
94.1
173.2
If you make $50,000 in Detroit, you will have to make $92,030 in North Hempstead to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Detroit is located in the Great Lakes region and provides vast waterways and islands within the city limits. North Hempstead has a more coastal geography, situated on the North Shore of Long Island.
Educational opportunities differ vastly between both cities. Detroit struggles with underfunded schools and low graduation rates, despite efforts to improve its educational system. North Hempstead offers a robust education system with high graduation rates and fantastic school scores.
Detroit's economy, once heavily dependent on the automotive industry, now boasts a diversified economy with sectors like finance, health care, and technology making significant plays. Still, unemployment rates can be high. North Hempstead has an economy driven by health care, professional, scientific, and technical services which translates into low unemployment rates.
Biggest Employers
In Detroit, General Motors and Henry Ford Health System are among the largest employers. North Hempstead's largest employer is, unsurprisingly, Northwell Health due to its robust health care industry.
Building permits
Type
Average value
Count
City
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
1997
$116,700
$144,100
74
55
1998
$203,500
$144,100
79
55
1999
$116,800
$104,800
158
81
2000
$169,400
$180,400
72
46
2001
$94,200
$174,000
56
57
2002
$155,800
$207,200
184
71
2003
$110,600
$181,600
382
122
2004
$126,900
$287,900
350
104
2005
$132,000
$281,700
277
96
2006
$134,300
$305,800
249
74
2007
$127,700
$281,500
154
18
2008
$108,900
$377,300
85
38
2009
$87,600
$342,600
32
14
2010
$190,100
$373,500
134
33
2011
$170,500
$399,700
18
28
2012
$188,900
$332,100
4
18
2013
$219,900
$413,400
21
24
2014
$235,400
$347,100
33
45
2015
$239,200
$347,000
31
56
2016
$253,800
$382,400
25
48
2017
$258,600
$428,900
59
49
2018
$258,500
$619,700
52
43
2019
$265,000
$515,300
30
37
2020
$278,000
$448,900
18
30
2021
$285,000
$497,800
10
11
There were 10 building permits issued in Detroit in 2012 (8 less than in 2011) compared to 11 building permits issued in North Hempstead in 2012 (17 less than in 2011).
In Detroit (Wayne County), 73.1% voted for Democrats and 26.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In North Hempstead (Nassau County), 53.4% voted for Democrats and 45.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
2020
68.6%
54.3%
30.4%
44.7%
1.0%
1.0%
2016
66.6%
51.2%
29.4%
45.3%
4.0%
3.4%
2012
73.1%
53.4%
26.2%
45.7%
0.6%
0.9%
2008
74.4%
54.0%
24.7%
45.6%
0.9%
0.4%
2004
69.7%
52.3%
29.9%
46.7%
0.4%
1.0%
2000
69.1%
58.0%
29.1%
38.5%
1.8%
3.5%
1996
69.0%
55.7%
24.0%
36.1%
7.0%
8.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.3%
50.6%
11.2%
9.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
1.2%
2.9%
1.5%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.5%
0.2%
2.4%
1.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1.2%
0.3%
3.9%
1.1%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.7%
1.1%
2.8%
5.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.9%
2.5%
5.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.2%
1.4%
3.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.4%
0.0%
3.2%
0.7%
Weather
Detroit sees a mixture of four distinct seasons, with harsh winters and humid summers. North Hempstead also experiences all four seasons, although winters are somewhat milder compared to Detroit due to the influence of coastal climates.
Weather and climate
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Temperature - Average
50°F
53.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.3%
68.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
25.2%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
76.4%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
53%
51.2%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.6 in
45.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
86.5 in
52.7 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.7%
16.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
60.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
38%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
69%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
31%
44%
Wind speed - Average
10.2 mph
11.5 mph
Average climate in Detroit, Michigan
Average climate in North Hempstead, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
Detroit
North Hempstead
2018
90
96
0.44
0.28
12.9
15.9
25.8
25.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.1
6.7
1.1
0.3
2017
87
95
0.56
0.17
12.7
16.2
20.9
25.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.1
6.7
1.3
0.4
2016
86
96
0.47
0.26
13.2
16.9
22.0
25.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
6.8
0.8
0.5
2015
95
102
0.49
0.29
14.8
18.1
26.5
24.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
7.9
1.2
1.1
2014
95
95
0.48
0.31
14.2
18.0
24.2
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.0
7.8
1.7
1.3
2013
80
100
0.53
0.32
14.4
18.5
24.5
24.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
8.8
1.3
1.5
2012
99
102
0.49
0.36
14.6
18.1
25.7
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.6
9.1
1.7
1.9
2011
94
110
0.32
0.37
12.9
20.4
24.3
24.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.5
10.9
1.6
2.4
2010
96
108
0.28
0.42
11.8
19.5
24.7
24.5
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
10.0
1.6
2.6
2009
68
106
0.27
0.40
12.7
21.6
23.4
20.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.1
1.9
3.7
2008
67
113
0.27
0.47
12.8
22.8
N/A
21.8
N/A
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.5
2.0
4.6
2007
81
120
0.29
0.52
13.7
23.8
25.8
20.9
0.017
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
N/A
4.5
2006
63
116
0.31
0.52
14.0
24.0
19.8
20.3
0.022
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.8
3.2
4.7
2005
83
107
0.36
0.61
17.4
26.4
22.6
19.5
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.0
5.9
2004
70
96
0.43
0.62
15.0
26.1
N/A
18.3
0.014
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
5.6
2003
86
105
0.40
0.72
18.5
27.6
N/A
18.9
0.013
0.025
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.8
6.0
2002
88
115
0.36
0.67
18.3
27.6
N/A
19.5
0.019
N/A
25.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
5.4
2001
83
117
0.36
0.62
19.0
27.7
N/A
20.1
0.020
N/A
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.7
2000
71
110
0.35
0.65
18.2
27.4
N/A
18.5
0.027
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
6.6
Natural disasters
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
128.5%
51.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
53.2%
30.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
25%
Transportation
Both Detroit and North Hempstead have public transit systems, but Detroit's, which includes buses and a small light rail system, does not cover the full city. North Hempstead, as part of the New York metropolitan area, enjoys access to an extensive public transit network that includes buses and trains.
Transport
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
93
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
3
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Bicycle
0.5%
0.2%
Bus
4%
2.3%
Carpooled
7.5%
9%
Car alone
83.4%
64.5%
Railroad
0%
14.5%
Subway
0.1%
1.2%
Taxicab
0.5%
0.3%
Walked
2.7%
3.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Average
30.6 min
35.2 min
Real Estate
Real estate is generally cheaper in Detroit, with properties available at below-average prices. In contrast, North Hempstead is one of the nation’s priciest real estate markets.
Neighborhoods
Detroit has a mix of neighborhoods, with some witnessing rapid gentrification. North Hempstead is primarily suburban, with quiet, upscale neighborhoods featuring lavish homes.
Houses and residents
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
Houses
322,906
78,927
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.9
Houses occupied
251,729 (78%)
76,820 (97.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
129,084 (51.3%)
60,270 (78.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
122,645 (48.7%)
16,550 (21.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$798.06
$2,429
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$86,452
$543,123
Estimated median house or condo value
$69,300
$868,288
Median number of rooms in apartments
5
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
7
Renting percentage
48.9%
21.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,326.9
1,473.1
Household income disparities
49.3%
32%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,599 (5.6%)
19,645 (37.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,270 (4.9%)
164 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
43,675 (94.4%)
33,305 (62.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
357 (0.8%)
4,188 (7.9%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,466 (7.5%)
2,281 (4.3%)
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
8,268
State government workers
8,763
2,777
Unpaid family workers
441
297
Industries and Occupations
Detroit maintains close ties to the auto industry, with Motown also known for its contributions to music. In North Hempstead, the health care and social assistance sectors top the list of industries providing employment.
Health care in Detroit is robust with renowned institutions such as Henry Ford Health System. Notably, North Hempstead is part of the wide-ranging New York health network leading in healthcare services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Urban decay and neglected infrastructure have been problems in some parts of Detroit, although efforts are ongoing to rectify these issues. North Hempstead’s infrastructure, however, is well-maintained with ongoing improvements to public amenities and services.
Infrastructure
Type
Detroit
North Hempstead
TV stations
16
30
Culture and Food
Detroit is known for its music and automotive heritage, with iconic dishes like Detroit-style pizza and coney dogs. North Hempstead offers a blend of cultures with its diverse food scene, art galleries, and nautical activities.
Sports Teams
Detroit is home to four major professional sports teams: the Lions (NFL), Tigers (MLB), Pistons (NBA), and Red Wings (NHL). North Hempstead, while it doesn’t host any major sports teams, offers residents easy access to New York City’s sports scene.
Detroit, MI
North Hempstead, NY
