Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL

Florida · Population: 11,627

  • Median HH Income$137,873
  • Median Home Price$472,888
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+64.7%

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 Gardens
11,627
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Francisco
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
60.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
38.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
San Francisco
33.9 min

Which City is Right for You?

San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Miami Gardens 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Miami Gardens & San Francisco