City vs city
Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
- Rent is 131% lower in Detroit (median $1,074/mo vs $2,476/mo in San Francisco).
- Homes cost 1562% less in Detroit ($84k vs $1.4M median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $1,402 more a month after taxes and rent in Detroit.
- Schools rate higher in San Francisco (4.6/10 vs 1.1/10).
- San Francisco has less violent crime (4.9 vs 16.5 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Francisco has milder winters (52°F vs 26°F average).
- San Francisco gets more sun (259 vs 180 sunny days a year).
| Detroit | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,074/mo | $2,476/mo |
| Median home value | $84k | $1.39M |
| Median household income | $40k | $141k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,814 | $2,412 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 1.1/10 | 4.6/10 |
| Violent crime | 4.6× the US rate | 1.4× the US rate |
| Summer average | 84°F | 70°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 52°F |
| Sunny days a year | 180 | 259 |
| Walk score | 55 | 89 |
| Population | 638,530 | 830,235 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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