City Comparison
San Francisco vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Francisco scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
47% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Francisco's average rent is
105% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | San Francisco | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,475 | $2,184 | +105% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $210 | $231 | -9% |
| Transport | $105 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $310 | $150 | +107% |
| Monthly Total | $5,650 | $3,015 | +87% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Francisco offers 106% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Francisco delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Francisco is estimated at
$85,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | San Francisco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,200 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,643 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $140,970 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Francisco runs warmer on average — a 57.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Francisco comes out ahead with 313 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Francisco sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Francisco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 46.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 21.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Francisco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Francisco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Francisco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 87.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of San Francisco.
From a growth perspective, San Francisco is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Francisco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 826,079 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Francisco
Advantages
Median household income stands high at $140,970 per the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Access to world-class public transportation and high walkability relative to most US cities.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem with robust venture capital presence.
Abundant natural beauty, featuring Golden Gate Park and immediate proximity to coastal trails.
Renowned culinary scene featuring diverse international cuisine and Michelin-starred dining.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices remain among the highest in the United States, averaging over $4,400 per month.
Overall cost of living index is significantly elevated compared to the national average.
High property crime rates and visible street-level challenges in select downtown commercial corridors.
Steep home purchase prices with average single-family homes exceeding $1.4 million per Zillow data.
State and local tax burdens are among the highest in the nation.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
San Francisco
#545California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,475
Avg Salary
$100,200
Cost Index
168
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
82
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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