Side-by-side comparison

San Diego vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for San Diego, California and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 46% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in San Diego vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

Detroit · Studio

$991

San Diego is $1,154 (116%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

San Diego is $1,238 (114%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

San Diego is $1,503 (109%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

San Diego is $2,164 (128%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in San Diego vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

San Diego is $42,764 (72%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

San Diego is $9,573 (24%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

San Diego is $15,935 (47%) higher than Detroit

Home values in San Diego vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

San Diego is $621,400 (365%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

San Diego is $2,748 (98%) higher than Detroit

Energy in San Diego vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

San Diego is $39 (30%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $13 (26%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

San Diego is $312 (14%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in San Diego vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

San Diego and Detroit are about the same

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego and Detroit are about the same

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

San Diego is 1.1% (19%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in San Diego vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

San Diego is 9.1% (213%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

San Diego is 1.3% (21%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

San Diego is 2.8% (47%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in San Diego vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

San Diego is 0.9 min (4%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 5.4% (8%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego and Detroit are about the same

Monthly cost estimates in San Diego vs Detroit

All categories combined.

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

San Diego is $1,423 (46%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

San Diego is $2,595 (60%) higher than Detroit

San Diego · Family

$10,119

Detroit · Family

$6,789

San Diego is $3,330 (49%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Diego and Detroit.

Is San Diego or Detroit more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,511/mo in San Diego, California and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 46%.

What is the rent difference between San Diego and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Diego, California is $2,328/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. San Diego is approximately $1,238 (114%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Diego or Detroit?

San Diego has the higher average household income. San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on San Diego and Detroit

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

San Diego profile Detroit profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.