Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Sacramento
36.8%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 36.8% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 12.4% | 5.1% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 15.9% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $1,369,171 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 38.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
30.0%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.6% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 20.7 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 33.9 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. 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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