San Diego CA vs Westland MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Westland
9.2%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 84,155 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 38.2 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 5.7% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 3.8% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 5.0% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $62,216 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $33,816 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 13.3% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 21.7% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 34.7% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.3% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.0% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.6% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 27.0 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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