Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 53.8% | 40.5% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 5.1% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $1,369,171 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 38.5% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.6% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.9 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC