

Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA comes out ahead of Detroit, MI on 28 of 47 statistics where one end is better, to 19. San Francisco, CA leads on Crime & Safety.
47 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 19
- Avg. percentile
- 34
- Categories led
- 0
- Wins
- 28
- Avg. percentile
- 41
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,499 25th of 477 | 812,530 17th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $39,938 426th of 434 | $140,970 38th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $83,900 3rd of 434 | $1.39M 411th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 32.7% 428th of 434 | 11.2% 135th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 256th of 460 | 115.6 tied last of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $69,210 tied 175th of 460 | $100,220 tied 10th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,074 109th of 434 | $2,476 400th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,649.1 393rd of 395 | 486.2 250th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetySan Francisco, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsEven · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $83,900 3rd of 434 | $1.39M 411th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $39,938 426th of 434 | $140,970 38th of 434 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.1% 400th of 434 | 60.3% 59th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 32.7% 428th of 434 | 11.2% 135th of 434 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,074 109th of 434 | $2,476 400th of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 85.7% 397th of 434 | 93.0% 150th of 434 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 94.7 tied 196th of 460 | 194.7 tied 438th of 460 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 25.7 384th of 395 | 3.4 195th of 395 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 256th of 460 | 115.6 tied last of 460 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.8 tied 277th of 460 | 108.5 tied 441st of 460 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,649.1 393rd of 395 | 486.2 250th of 395 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $69,210 tied 175th of 460 | $100,220 tied 10th of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $52,080 tied 138th of 460 | $74,260 tied 10th of 460 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 24.8 283rd of 434 | 30.4 390th of 434 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 107.0 tied 343rd of 460 | 172.6 tied 439th of 460 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 971.1 389th of 395 | 374.1 314th of 395 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 102.6 tied 381st of 460 | 106.2 tied 435th of 460 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 3,882.2 362nd of 395 | 2,932.4 317th of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 630.2 375th of 395 | 465.5 340th of 395 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Detroit, MI or San Francisco, CA?
- San Francisco, CA comes out ahead of Detroit, MI on 28 of 47 statistics where one end is better, to 19. San Francisco, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Detroit, MI or San Francisco, CA?
- Detroit, MI has a population of 650,499 (25th of 477 US cities) and San Francisco, CA has 812,530 (17th of 477).
- How do Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Detroit, MI $39,938 (426th of 434), San Francisco, CA $140,970 (38th of 434) among US cities. San Francisco, CA ranks better.
- How do Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Detroit, MI $83,900 (3rd of 434), San Francisco, CA $1.39M (411th of 434) among US cities. Detroit, MI ranks better.
- Where does Detroit, MI beat San Francisco, CA most clearly?
- Detroit, MI ranks far ahead on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $83,900 vs $1.39M; Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $1,074 vs $2,476; Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 94.7 vs 194.7.
- Where does San Francisco, CA beat Detroit, MI most clearly?
- San Francisco, CA ranks far ahead on Median Household Income (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $140,970 vs $39,938; Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 60.3% vs 18.1%; Poverty Rate (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 11.2% vs 32.7%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Detroit, MI or San Francisco, CA.
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