San Francisco, CA, and Las Vegas, NV, provide unique yet distinctly different lifestyles, weather patterns, cost of living, educational opportunities, work, and economic conditions. While San Francisco is synonymous with the tech industry, cultural diversity, and a high cost of living, Las Vegas is known for its entertainment industry, lower costs, and hotter climate. Understanding these dynamics will assist in making an informed choice for anyone considering moving to or touring either of these cities.
Distance between
San Francisco, CA and
Las Vegas, NV : 412.6 miles
San Francisco's population is larger by 26%. Its population has grown by 38,468 people (5.0%) since 2000. The population of Las Vegas has grown by 168,356 people (35.2%) during that time.
Both San Francisco and Las Vegas deal with crime as urban areas, but their challenges differ. San Francisco has higher rates of property crime, which includes bicycle theft, car break-ins, and house burglaries. On the other hand, Las Vegas has higher rates of violent crime. Safety precautions apply to both cities as they would anywhere else.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 829 registered sex offenders living in San Francisco and 4,789 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Francisco is 1,051 to 1; the ratio in Las Vegas is 132 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in San Francisco than in Las Vegas.
Cost of Living
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, with high housing, food, and utility costs. In comparison, Las Vegas has a lower cost of living, providing more affordable housing, utilities, and services. This difference is significant for both relocated individuals and tourists who prefer budget-friendly options.
Income Tax
California has a progressive income tax system, which can be quite high for upper-income residents. Nevada, however, has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Property Tax
Both cities have reasonable property tax rates. San Francisco's is at 0.65%, while Clark County, where Las Vegas resides, average around 0.64%.
Sales Tax
In San Francisco, the city-level sales tax is 8.5%. Nevada's state sales tax, applied in Las Vegas, is significantly higher at 8.375%.
Income
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Estimated median household income
$121,826
$59,746
Estimated per capita income
$80,383
$33,825
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
141.1
99.1
If you make $50,000 in Las Vegas, you will have to make $71,191 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco is located near the Pacific Ocean, with geographical features like rolling hills and bays. Las Vegas sits in a valley surrounded by desert and mountain ranges, with Lake Mead not far off.
San Francisco offers a high-quality education system, with notable schools like the University of California, San Francisco, and Stanford University nearby. There are also excellent public and private primary and secondary schools. Las Vegas offers decent education options, but the quality varies significantly between districts. Higher education in Vegas includes the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
San Francisco thrives on its tech and financial industries, offering numerous high-paying job opportunities in start-ups, tech giants, and financial services firms. In contrast, Las Vegas's economy is primarily driven by tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and gaming industries, with opportunities for employment in these varied sectors.
Biggest Employers
In San Francisco, the biggest employers are in the tech industry, including Salesforce, Uber, and Google. Las Vegas's largest employers are MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts, emphasizing the city's strong entertainment and hospitality sectors.
There were 33 building permits issued in San Francisco in 2012 (2 more than in 2011) compared to 2,700 building permits issued in Las Vegas in 2012 (1886 more than in 2011).
In San Francisco (San Francisco County), 83.5% voted for Democrats and 13.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Las Vegas (Clark County), 56.4% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
2020
85.3%
53.7%
12.7%
44.3%
2.0%
2.0%
2016
84.6%
52.4%
9.2%
41.7%
6.2%
5.8%
2012
83.5%
56.4%
13.0%
41.8%
3.4%
1.8%
2008
84.4%
58.5%
13.7%
39.5%
2.0%
2.0%
2004
83.0%
51.8%
15.2%
46.9%
1.8%
1.3%
2000
75.7%
51.4%
16.1%
44.8%
8.1%
3.8%
1996
72.2%
75.5%
15.7%
18.8%
12.1%
5.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
CATHOLIC CHURCH
15.0%
18.1%
9.6%
4.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.1%
3.5%
1.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
0.1%
1.2%
0.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.7%
1.6%
8.4%
11.2%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.2%
2.5%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.4%
1.7%
1.6%
Weather
The climates between the two cities vary starkly. San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with cool, foggy summers and mild winters. It's known for its microclimates where weather conditions can drastically change within small areas. Meanwhile, Las Vegas sees a desert climate with very hot, long summers and very short, mild winters. Temperatures in Las Vegas hit extreme highs in the summer.
Weather and climate
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Temperature - Average
58.3°F
65.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
84.3%
30.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29%
42%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
91%
52%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
62%
10%
Precipitation - Yearly average
22.2 in
5.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
1.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.8%
35.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
73%
91.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77%
92%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
55%
76%
Wind speed - Average
11.4 mph
9.2 mph
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Average climate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Las Vegas
2018
104
100
0.35
0.42
11.3
13.1
23.4
37.2
0.012
N/A
24.4
N/A
11.9
6.0
0.4
0.7
2017
96
101
0.40
0.29
11.4
13.0
22.5
38.5
0.008
N/A
20.3
N/A
9.9
7.3
0.6
0.8
2016
68
97
0.39
0.38
10.6
11.2
22.4
36.5
0.005
N/A
20.6
N/A
7.9
8.7
0.8
0.8
2015
85
92
0.41
0.36
12.1
12.4
22.5
35.6
0.004
N/A
18.9
N/A
7.9
8.4
0.8
1.2
2014
85
91
0.38
0.40
12.1
10.8
21.8
36.5
0.005
N/A
21.1
N/A
7.7
9.2
0.6
1.4
2013
88
103
0.40
0.45
13.9
9.6
20.4
36.9
0.004
N/A
22.1
N/A
10.2
8.6
0.5
1.5
2012
75
94
0.40
0.49
12.8
5.9
22.7
38.5
0.003
N/A
21.5
N/A
8.2
8.3
1.1
1.4
2011
86
85
0.24
0.40
14.1
5.3
21.3
37.5
0.003
N/A
18.2
N/A
9.5
7.8
1.7
1.2
2010
84
86
0.21
0.50
13.4
5.7
22.0
36.6
0.004
N/A
16.1
N/A
10.6
7.1
1.0
N/A
2009
95
87
0.30
0.56
15.1
6.0
20.4
33.3
0.005
N/A
20.9
N/A
12.8
8.3
1.1
N/A
2008
94
82
0.43
0.66
15.6
8.2
21.7
33.0
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
9.2
0.9
N/A
2007
84
97
0.45
0.61
15.6
11.7
20.5
32.4
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
8.6
1.2
0.1
2006
86
102
0.52
0.75
16.1
13.4
21.5
32.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
8.3
1.6
0.8
2005
89
100
0.39
0.76
14.8
15.1
20.5
30.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
7.8
1.3
5.3
2004
93
85
0.44
0.71
16.1
16.0
20.9
30.6
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.2
N/A
2.5
1.6
2003
65
99
0.64
0.67
18.4
15.9
19.7
29.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
1.0
2002
62
94
0.69
0.73
18.6
15.7
19.6
30.6
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
0.7
2001
64
95
0.72
0.76
19.2
15.0
19.0
29.4
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.1
2000
60
95
0.71
0.88
20.3
14.7
17.1
29.7
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
0.4
Natural disasters
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
7.7%
2.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,468.1%
6,093.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
6%
12%
Transportation
San Francisco has a robust public transportation network of buses, cable cars, and BART trains. Las Vegas's public transport consists mainly of buses, but it is less comprehensive, making car ownership almost necessary.
Transport
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Amtrak stations
4
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
453
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
9
81
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Bicycle
2.7%
0.1%
Bus
11.4%
2.2%
Carpooled
9.1%
10.3%
Car alone
53.9%
82.7%
Ferryboat
0.4%
0%
Motorcycle
0.9%
0.4%
Railroad
0.7%
0%
Streetcar
7.9%
0%
Subway
1.6%
0%
Taxicab
0.4%
0%
Walked
8.3%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Average
38 min
26.3 min
Other means
28.3 min
24 min
Public transportation
39.7 min
49.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
85.5%
88.9%
In 2 person carpool
10.1%
8.2%
In 3 person carpool
3.2%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.2%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.4%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Both cities have booming real estate markets, but San Francisco's prices are among the highest in the nation. Las Vegas offers more affordable options, featuring various styles of suburban homes and high-rise condos.
Neighborhoods
San Francisco's neighborhoods are diverse and distinct, each with its own charm, architecture, and culture. Las Vegas neighborhoods range from the vibrant Las Vegas Strip to quieter, family-friendly areas like Summerlin and Green Valley.
Houses and residents
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Houses
412,269
269,602
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.7
Median year apartment built
1953
1991
Median year house/condo built
1942
1995
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.3 years
10.1 years
Houses occupied
350,796 (85.1%)
250,350 (92.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
140,809 (40.1%)
138,677 (55.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
209,987 (59.9%)
111,673 (44.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,809
$1,176
Median monthly housing costs
$2,337
$1,255
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,670,841
$989,410
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$362,400
Median numbers of rooms
3.9
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.6
6.1
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$439,169
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$161,204
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$201,871
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$327,174
Median house price - mobile homes
$517,939
$113,235
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
Over $1,000,000
$274,961
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$417,434
Median house age
76
27
Renting percentage
64.2%
43.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
8,829.1
2,379.4
House value disparities
18.7%
27.1%
Household income disparities
41.7%
47.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$210,544
$90,388
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$99,969
$62,287
Housing units without a mortgage
1,778 (1.9%)
1,172 (1.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,687 (8.3%)
4,450 (4.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
91,236 (98.1%)
95,992 (98.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
471 (0.5%)
178 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,395 (10.1%)
5,092 (5.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
7
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
4
2
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
4.7%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
2.7%
1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Francisco
Las Vegas
One, detached
19.1%
61.5%
One, attached
12.1%
5.3%
Two
9.0%
1.3%
3 or 4
11.4%
7.7%
5 to 9
9.0%
8.4%
10 to 19
9.3%
4.8%
20 to 49
11.3%
2.8%
50 or more
18.7%
6.8%
Mobile homes
0.1%
1.4%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
30,288
18,990
State government workers
22,691
6,950
Unpaid family workers
399
614
Industries and Occupations
San Francisco is home to many tech giants and start-ups, leading to a workforce dominated by tech professionals and entrepreneurs. Las Vegas has a high concentration of occupations in the service industry due to its significant entertainment, hospitality, and gaming sectors.
Both cities boast high-quality healthcare facilities. San Francisco is home to internationally recognized entities like UCSF Medical Center. Las Vegas has quality care at facilities such as the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
The infrastructure in San Francisco is a mix of historical and modern, with the city constantly improving and updating its facilities. On the other hand, Las Vegas's infrastructure caters mostly to the tourism and entertainment industry, with top-notch hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues.
Infrastructure
Type
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Hospitals
16
39
TV stations
18
12
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
281
281
Bank institutions located here
52
34
Main business address for public companies
68
57
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
32
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Francisco
Las Vegas
1999
1,402
2,657
2000
1,000
579
2001
733
371
2002
870
380
2003
1,576
3,590
2004
2,147
5,908
2005
2,344
7,894
2006
2,511
6,914
2007
2,117
3,733
2008
1,575
1,431
2009
952
813
Culture and Food
San Francisco is known for its cultural diversity and rich food culture, including world-class restaurants and food festivals. Las Vegas is prominent for its world-class entertainment and wide array of dining options, from upscale gourmet restaurants to plentiful buffet spreads.
Sports Teams
San Francisco hosts professional NFL, MLB, and NBA teams, including the 49ers, Giants, and Golden State Warriors. Las Vegas is home to the NHL's Golden Knights, NFL's Raiders, and a vibrant combat sports scene.
San Francisco, CA
Las Vegas, NV
San Francisco, CA and 
Las Vegas, NV : 412.6 miles
