Chula Vista CA vs San Francisco CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 39.7 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 65.7% | 40.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 15.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 10.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $1,369,171 | Chula Vista + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 38.5% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 20.7 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 33.9 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while chula Vista offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,245. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA