San Francisco CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Tempe
13.9%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 186,419 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 13.9% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 5.1% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 9.5% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $77,643 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $42,371 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.2% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 49.5% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 27.2% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.6% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.7% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 71.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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