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Detroit vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Detroit, MI | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.3 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,210 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $52,080 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $69,004 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $53,302 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $269,080 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $75,123 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 3.6 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 4,367,620 | 3,282,782 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Detroit to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Detroit to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.116.
| Salary in Detroit | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Detroit | $55,777 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Detroit | $83,666 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Detroit | $111,555 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Detroit | $167,332 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Detroit | $223,109 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Detroit and San Diego
| Job | Detroit | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,830 | $36,830 | $34,727 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,860 | $40,870 | $30,768 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,030 | $41,850 | $38,914 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $32,050 | $39,820 | $31,955 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $95,460 | $145,060 | $95,176 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $47,000 | $51,310 | $46,860 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,060 | $144,610 | $132,665 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,080 | $47,700 | $44,946 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $44,270 | $42,882 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $37,780 | $41,970 | $37,668 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,120 | $42,790 | $39,004 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $128,200 | $163,300 | $127,819 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $40,790 | $43,110 | $40,669 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,170 | $100,980 | $94,887 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,640 | $45,770 | $38,525 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Detroit vs San Diego: questions
Is Detroit more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 100.3 in Detroit, MI and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Detroit?
About $111,555, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Detroit or San Diego?
San Diego, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.