Detroit MI vs San Bernardino CA — 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 Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Detroit
11.7%
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 221,774 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 11.7% | 27.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Black | 76.8% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Detroit +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Detroit +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $23,980 | Detroit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 12.8% | Detroit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $492,059 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.5% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Bernardino +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.0% | San Bernardino + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.2% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.7 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA