CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs San Antonio, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableTX
San Antonio
94.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

San Antonio is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $75,500 in San Antonio. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Detroit
94.7
San Antonio
94.6
🛒 Groceries5.1%
Detroit
98.8
San Antonio
93.8
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Detroit
107.7
San Antonio
101.1
🏥 Healthcare6.3%
Detroit
97.5
San Antonio
91.4
Utilities23.2%
Detroit
107
San Antonio
82.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Detroit to see what you'd need to earn in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$75,500
$4,500 less needed in San Antonio

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9442. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

San Antonio, TX

Median Home Price
$274,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
94.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

San Antonio, TX

Median Household Income
$73,200
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
1,434,625
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareTourismManufacturingGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

San Antonio, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.