San Francisco CA vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Seattle
19.9%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 741,440 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 19.9% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 5.1% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 17.2% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 8.2% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $121,984 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $82,508 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 22.2% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 15.3% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 37.5 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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