Side-by-side comparison

San Jose vs Detroit

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 89% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in San Jose vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

Detroit · Studio

$991

San Jose is $1,617 (163%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

San Jose is $1,885 (173%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

San Jose is $2,068 (150%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

San Jose is $2,789 (165%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in San Jose vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

San Jose is $100,153 (168%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

San Jose is $34,051 (85%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

San Jose is $43,062 (127%) higher than Detroit

Home values in San Jose vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

San Jose is $1,212,600 (712%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

San Jose is $6,972 (250%) higher than Detroit

Energy in San Jose vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

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

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

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

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

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

Healthcare in San Jose vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

San Jose and Detroit are about the same

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose and Detroit are about the same

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Detroit is 1.7% (43%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in San Jose vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

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

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

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

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

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

Transportation in San Jose vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

San Jose is 2.0 min (8%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 11.3% (18%) higher than San Jose

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

San Jose is 0.5% (23%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in San Jose vs Detroit

All categories combined.

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

San Jose is $2,735 (89%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

San Jose is $4,846 (112%) higher than Detroit

San Jose · Family

$12,430

Detroit · Family

$6,789

San Jose is $5,641 (83%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Jose and Detroit.

Is San Jose or Detroit more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $5,823/mo in San Jose, California and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 89%.

What is the rent difference between San Jose and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Jose, California is $2,975/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. San Jose is approximately $1,885 (173%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Jose or Detroit?

San Jose has the higher average household income. San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on San Jose and Detroit

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

San Jose 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.