San Francisco CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Tucson
13.7%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 543,348 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 13.7% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.1% | 5.0% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 3.1% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $54,546 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $31,152 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 18.8% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 30.2% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 33.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.3% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 15.7% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.5% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 69.8°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Francisco, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CAChicago, IL vs San Francisco, CAHouston, TX vs San Francisco, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Francisco, CA