San Francisco, CA, and North Davis, UT, offer unique living experiences with noteworthy differences. Comparing factors like crime and safety, cost of living, and education, it becomes evident that relocation or a temporary visit to either city is subject to individual preferences and lifestyle. Included are points on work and economy, infrastructure, and local industries that paint a clear picture of life in these two distinct areas. Each city's biggest employers, real estate situation, neighborhoods, and public transit systems also crucially shape local living standards. Taxes, cultural practices, sports teams, geography, and healthcare further add nuance to their comparison.
San Francisco has typically higher crime rates than North Davis, caused in part by its much larger population. However, it's important to note that crime in San Francisco is concentrated in specific areas. North Davis, being a smaller community, generally enjoys a lower crime rate. Tourists and residents alike in both cities should always be aware of their surroundings.
Cost of Living
Living in San Francisco is notably more expensive than in North Davis, with housing prices being one of the main contributors. Food, transport, and general living expenses also tend to be higher, thus making it one of the costliest cities in the United States. Conversely, North Davis offers a much lower cost of living, making it more affordable for many families.
Income Tax
California hosts one of the highest state tax rates in the country, with San Francisco residents paying up to 13.3% in state income tax. In contrast, Utah implements a more modulated flat rate of 4.95%.
Property Tax
Property taxes in San Francisco are at around 0.76%, a rate lower than the U.S. average. In North Davis, property taxes tend to be about 0.68%.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in San Francisco is currently at 8.5%, higher than North Davis which is at approximately 6.1%. This is another factor contributing to the higher cost of living in San Francisco.
Income
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Estimated median household income
$121,826
$89,548
Estimated per capita income
$80,383
$35,692
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
141.1
95.3
If you make $50,000 in North Davis, you will have to make $74,029 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco is characterized by its hilly landscape and coastal features, including the famous Golden Gate Bridge. North Davis offers a blend of urban and rural landscapes with close proximity to mountainous regions for hiking and winter sports.
Geographical information
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Land area
46.7 sq. miles
186.7 sq. miles
Population density
17,458 people per sq. mile
961.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
San Francisco, CA North Davis, UT
Education
San Francisco is home to highly reputable institutions, from excellent primary schools to prestigious universities such as UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University. North Davis, though smaller, is known for its high school graduation rates and the Davis Applied Technology College. Both cities value education, but offer different scales of resources and prestige.
San Francisco's economy thrives on technology, finance, and tourism sectors. North Davis, however, is more focused on education, retail, and healthcare. Job opportunities in San Francisco are typically higher-paying, but the cost of living can offset salary gains. North Davis offers more affordable living but with lower average salaries.
Biggest Employers
Some of San Francisco's biggest employers come from the tech sector, including Salesforce, Uber, and Twitter. In North Davis, significant employers are more oriented towards education and healthcare such as Davis School District and Weber State University.
In San Francisco (San Francisco County), 83.5% voted for Democrats and 13.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In North Davis (Davis County), 18.1% voted for Democrats and 80.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
2020
85.3%
33.3%
12.7%
60.4%
2.0%
6.4%
2016
84.6%
20.6%
9.2%
44.5%
6.2%
34.9%
2012
83.5%
18.1%
13.0%
80.0%
3.4%
1.9%
2008
84.4%
27.5%
13.7%
69.8%
2.0%
2.7%
2004
83.0%
19.1%
15.2%
79.0%
1.8%
1.9%
2000
75.7%
21.5%
16.1%
73.4%
8.1%
5.2%
1996
72.2%
27.2%
15.7%
60.3%
12.1%
12.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
CATHOLIC CHURCH
15.0%
4.2%
9.6%
0.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.1%
3.5%
0.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
0.0%
1.2%
0.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.7%
0.7%
8.4%
1.2%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.1%
2.5%
0.3%
Weather
San Francisco experiences mild, damp winters and dry summers, with temperatures rarely exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit. North Davis presents a more varying climate, with cold winters and hot, dry summers. While San Francisco's foggy atmosphere is iconic, North Davis allows for a picturesque enjoyment of all four seasons.
Weather and climate
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Temperature - Average
58.3°F
51.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
84.3%
57.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29%
57%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
91%
78%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
62%
21%
Precipitation - Yearly average
22.2 in
23.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
117.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.8%
20.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
73%
72.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
46%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77%
85%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
55%
39%
Wind speed - Average
11.4 mph
9.1 mph
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Average climate in North Davis, Utah
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
San Francisco
North Davis
2018
104
99
0.35
0.16
11.3
14.6
23.4
30.3
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
8.3
0.4
0.3
2017
96
103
0.40
0.44
11.4
15.9
22.5
29.9
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.9
8.2
0.6
0.3
2016
68
98
0.39
0.54
10.6
16.8
22.4
27.4
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
7.7
0.8
N/A
2015
85
89
0.41
0.42
12.1
15.3
22.5
27.2
0.004
N/A
22.1
N/A
7.9
9.1
0.8
0.3
2014
85
90
0.38
0.55
12.1
14.0
21.8
27.8
0.005
N/A
20.9
N/A
7.7
10.4
0.6
0.5
2013
88
106
0.40
0.46
13.9
16.9
20.4
26.7
0.004
N/A
22.0
N/A
10.2
14.0
0.5
1.3
2012
75
96
0.40
0.42
12.8
15.1
22.7
27.3
0.003
N/A
24.1
N/A
8.2
9.7
1.1
1.5
2011
86
95
0.24
0.46
14.1
15.3
21.3
26.8
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.5
9.1
1.7
1.4
2010
84
116
0.21
0.47
13.4
15.7
22.0
25.8
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.6
12.3
1.0
1.9
2009
95
112
0.30
0.50
15.1
20.2
20.4
24.8
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.8
13.2
1.1
2.2
2008
94
104
0.43
0.58
15.6
21.1
21.7
25.5
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
13.1
0.9
1.5
2007
84
113
0.45
0.72
15.6
23.3
20.5
27.5
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
12.7
1.2
1.3
2006
86
100
0.52
0.72
16.1
19.8
21.5
28.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
9.0
1.6
1.6
2005
89
90
0.39
0.82
14.8
22.5
20.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
N/A
1.3
2.4
2004
93
78
0.44
0.77
16.1
23.6
20.9
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.2
N/A
2.5
2.8
2003
65
86
0.64
0.75
18.4
24.7
19.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
2.7
2002
62
95
0.69
0.96
18.6
25.6
19.6
N/A
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2.6
2001
64
90
0.72
0.96
19.2
22.6
19.0
N/A
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2.9
2000
60
92
0.71
1.10
20.3
21.4
17.1
N/A
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
2.8
Natural disasters
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
7.7%
10%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,468.1%
2,230.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
6%
7%
Transportation
San Francisco has extensive public transportation, including buses, trams, and the BART metro system. In contrast, North Davis relies more on cars with less comprehensive public transport. However, commuting is often easier in North Davis due to less traffic.
Transport
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Amtrak stations
4
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
453
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
9
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Bicycle
2.7%
0.3%
Bus
11.4%
1.8%
Carpooled
9.1%
13.8%
Car alone
53.9%
78.3%
Ferryboat
0.4%
0.1%
Motorcycle
0.9%
0.1%
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
North Davis
Average
38 min
23.6 min
Real Estate
San Francisco's real estate market is one of the most expensive in the U.S., with high property values and rents. North Davis offers more affordable options, with house prices and rent significantly lower.
Neighborhoods
San Francisco has a vast array of neighborhoods ranging from the bustling downtown area to peaceful, residential districts. North Davis is predominantly residential, characterized by quiet neighborhoods and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Houses and residents
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
Houses
412,269
46,011
Average household size (people)
2.3
3.3
Houses occupied
350,796 (85.1%)
44,152 (96%)
Houses occupied by owners
140,809 (40.1%)
33,582 (76.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
209,987 (59.9%)
10,570 (23.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,809
$1,153
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,670,841
$289,078
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$402,203
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
4.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.6
8.2
Renting percentage
64.2%
22.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
8,829.1
246.4
Household income disparities
41.7%
39.1%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,778 (1.9%)
4,746 (16.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,687 (8.3%)
124 (0.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
91,236 (98.1%)
24,811 (83.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
471 (0.5%)
2,738 (9.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,395 (10.1%)
4,320 (14.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
4.7%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
30,288
3,341
State government workers
22,691
3,070
Unpaid family workers
399
207
Industries and Occupations
In San Francisco, industries are centered around technology, healthcare, and finance. North Davis is more focused on education, retail, and healthcare sectors, reflecting the smaller size and different economic concentration of the city.
San Francisco has several top-rated hospitals including UCSF Medical Center and is known for a strong disposition towards healthy living. North Davis, while smaller, has reputable healthcare facilities and promotes an active, outdoor lifestyle for overall well-being.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Francisco boasts robust and diverse infrastructure with high-speed internet, efficient public transportation, and numerous public facilities. North Davis is more residential and rural, with less infrastructure development but also less congestion and noise.
Infrastructure
Type
San Francisco
North Davis
TV stations
18
8
Culture and Food
San Francisco is diverse and cosmopolitan, renowned for its cultural institutions, festivals, and culinary scene, which includes everything from Michelin-star restaurants to food trucks. North Davis provides a smaller town feel with a more homogeneous culture and some locally renowned eateries.
Sports Teams
San Francisco is home to major sports teams, including the Giants (MLB), 49ers (NFL), and Golden State Warriors (NBA). North Davis doesn't host any major professional teams but does have vibrant local sports and outdoor activities.
San Francisco, CA
North Davis, UT
San Francisco, CA and 
North Davis, UT : 602.9 miles
