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Detroit vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.3 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $69,210 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $52,080 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $69,004 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $53,302 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $269,080 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $75,123 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 3.6 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 4,367,620 | 4,653,593 |
*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 Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Detroit to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.153.
| Salary in Detroit | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Detroit | $57,635 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Detroit | $86,452 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Detroit | $115,269 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Detroit | $172,904 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Detroit | $230,539 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Detroit and San Francisco
| Job | Detroit | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,830 | $38,810 | $34,727 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $128,200 | $193,430 | $127,819 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,860 | $44,620 | $30,768 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,060 | $177,240 | $132,665 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $95,460 | $176,900 | $95,176 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,030 | $47,290 | $38,914 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $32,050 | $43,260 | $31,955 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $47,000 | $56,950 | $46,860 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $51,280 | $42,882 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $86,800 | $110,360 | $86,542 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $37,780 | $48,720 | $37,668 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,080 | $46,460 | $44,946 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $40,790 | $50,270 | $40,669 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,120 | $47,210 | $39,004 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,310 | $120,780 | $91,039 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Detroit vs San Francisco: questions
Is Detroit more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 100.3 in Detroit, MI and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Detroit?
About $115,269, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Detroit or San Francisco?
San Francisco, 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.
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