City Comparison
San Francisco vs Anaheim
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Francisco scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Francisco
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Anaheim is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Francisco's average rent is
80% higher than Anaheim's.
| Metric | San Francisco | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,475 | $2,487 | +80% |
| Groceries | $550 | $411 | +34% |
| Utilities | $210 | $262 | -20% |
| Transport | $105 | $514 | -80% |
| Healthcare | $310 | $139 | +123% |
| Monthly Total | $5,650 | $3,813 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Francisco offers 156% 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 $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | San Francisco | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,200 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,643 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $140,970 | $95,227 |
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 | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anaheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to San Francisco.
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 | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 87.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Francisco is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Anaheim.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Francisco | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 826,079 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $22.8B |
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.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
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
Anaheim
#597California, USA
41.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between San Francisco and Anaheim.
Open Cost Calculator