Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
836,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 836,321 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.7 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 34.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
San Francisco
38.5%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $1,369,171 | Los Angeles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 38.5% | San Francisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 19.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 20.7 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Los Angeles +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 33.9 min | Los Angeles + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while los Angeles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $956,465. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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%.
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