Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
San Francisco
39.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Miami
34.2%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 39.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 34.2% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 13.7% | 5.1% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 15.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.6% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
San Francisco
38.5%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $1,369,171 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 38.5% | San Francisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.6% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 33.9 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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