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Detroit vs San Antonio

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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San Antonio is 3% more expensive than Detroit overall.Detroit has a cost of living index of 88 vs San Antonio at 91 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing San Antonio costs 8% less.

Pierre
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Detroit
MI
88
COLI index
VS
San Antonio
TX
91
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryDetroitSan AntonioDifference
Overall COLI8891+3%
Housing8592+8%
Groceries101102+1%
Transport101103+2%
Healthcare102101-1%
Utilities112110-2%

Median 1BR Rent

Detroit
$1,100/mo
San Antonio
$1,250/mo

Median Home Price

Detroit
$90,000
San Antonio
$245,000

Median Household Income

Detroit
$34,762
San Antonio
$54,091

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Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit is cheaper to live in overall. Detroit has a cost of living index of 88 while San Antonio has an index of 91, where 100 represents the US national average. San Antonio is 3% more expensive than Detroit overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Detroit is $1,100 per month compared to $1,250 in San Antonio. The median home price in Detroit is $90,000 versus $245,000 in San Antonio. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Detroit has a cost of living index of 88 and San Antonio has an index of 91, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Detroit, multiply by 1.03. For example a $75,000 salary in Detroit is equivalent to approximately $77,557 in San Antonio.

Detroit has a median household income of $34,762 per year versus $54,091 in San Antonio. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Detroit to San Antonio is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. San Antonio is 3% more expensive overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.