Detroit MI vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Detroit
11.7%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 11.7% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $1,006,261 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 47.6% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 61.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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