Cost of living in San Diego, California (United States) is 45% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 538 prices entered by 54 different people.
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| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Diego, California (United States) is 30% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $24 | $20 | + 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $15 | $10 | + 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $5.69 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.28 | $0.87 | + 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $6 | $5.06 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.96 | $3.62 | + 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 | $6 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.98 | $4.50 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.01 | $2.69 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.66 | $2.02 | + 131% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $23 | $11 | + 108% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.68 | $3.08 | + 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.03 | $2.78 | + 9% | |
| Housing | + 65% | |||
| Housing in San Diego, California (United States) is 65% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,976 | $2,413 | + 106% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,388 | $1,541 | + 120% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $274 | $228 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,942 | $1,292 | + 128% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,241 | $919 | + 144% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $189 | $157 | + 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $53 | $72 | - 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $370 | $295 | + 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $154 | $149 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $17 | $15 | + 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 | $42 | - 25% | |
| Clothes | + 35% | |||
| Clothes in San Diego, California (United States) is 35% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $57 | $50 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $53 | $34 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $107 | $96 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $137 | $90 | + 52% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in San Diego, California (United States) is 17% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $36,505 | $32,100 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.35 | $0.88 | + 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $72 | $65 | + 11% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 | $14 | + 50% | |
| Personal Care | + 57% | |||
| Personal Care in San Diego, California (United States) is 57% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $15 | $10 | + 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 | $6 | + 234% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $130 | $94 | + 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 | $7 | + 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.44 | $4.88 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $13 | $7 | + 74% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.85 | $3.48 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $3.01 | $1.75 | + 72% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $40 | $23 | + 72% | |
| Entertainment | + 64% | |||
| Entertainment in San Diego, California (United States) is 64% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $67 | $44 | + 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $38 | $24 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $327 | $151 | + 117% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $101 | $72 | + 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $19 | $16 | + 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $7 | $5.09 | + 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 | $4.66 | + 102% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $477 | $451 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.58 | $0.32 | + 84% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $106 | $42 | + 153% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $9 | + 46% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 45% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 538 prices entered by 54 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least $9,452 in San Diego, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $6,500 in Detroit, Michigan.
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