Detroit MI vs San Antonio TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Detroit
11.7%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 11.7% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 76.8% | 7.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $251,035 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 24.5% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 68.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 34.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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