Comparing the lifestyle between two Californian cities, San Francisco, and Sacramento, reveals significant differences. San Francisco, known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, tech-centric job market, and high cost of living contrasts starkly with Sacramento's more relaxed atmosphere, affordable living, and government-driven economy. Below lies a detailed comparison of these two cities across various critical aspects including crime and safety, cost of living, weather, and education among others.
Distance between
San Francisco, CA and
Sacramento, CA : 76.1 miles
San Francisco's population is larger by 55%. Its population has grown by 38,468 people (5.0%) since 2000. The population of Sacramento has grown by 118,023 people (29.0%) during that time.
San Francisco has a higher crime rate compared to Sacramento, primarily driven by property crimes. Tourists and new settlers should stay alert, especially in certain downtown areas late at night. Sacramento also deals with crime but it’s generally safer, with a crime rate below the average for California's large cities.
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 2,168 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Francisco is 1,051 to 1; the ratio in Sacramento is 228 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in San Francisco than in Sacramento.
Cost of Living
San Francisco is significantly more expensive than Sacramento in terms of cost of living. In comparison to the national average, San Francisco exceeds it by over 80% while Sacramento is just slightly over. Housing costs, in particular, are remarkably higher in San Francisco.
Income Tax
Both San Francisco and Sacramento residents are subject to California's progressive income tax, with rates ranging from 1% to 13.3% based on income.
Property Tax
The average property tax rate in Sacramento is lower than San Francisco. However, due to San Francisco's high property values, property owners typically pay more in total taxes.
Sales Tax
Both cities are subjected to California's base sales tax rate of 7.25%. However, when combined with local taxes, San Francisco totals 8.5% and Sacramento's is slightly higher at 8.75%.
Income
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Estimated median household income
$121,826
$75,311
Estimated per capita income
$80,383
$37,916
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
141.1
102.9
If you make $50,000 in Sacramento, you will have to make $68,562 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco is hilly with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, whereas Sacramento, located in the Central Valley, is relatively flat with two rivers running through it.
Both cities have access to reputable schools and higher education institutions. San Francisco benefits from proximity to universities like Stanford and Berkeley, and has a higher percentage of residents with postgraduate degrees. By contrast, Sacramento has access to California State University, Sacramento and the University of California, Davis.
San Francisco has a diverse and robust economy with a focus on financial services, tourism, and is a major hub for tech companies. Sacramento's economy revolves around the public sector, healthcare, and education but has seen recent growth in tech employment.
Biggest Employers
San Francisco's top employers include Salesforce, Wells Fargo, and the UCSF. In Sacramento, major employers are the State of California, Sacramento County, and healthcare firms like Sutter Health.
There were 33 building permits issued in San Francisco in 2012 (2 more than in 2011) compared to 1,004 building permits issued in Sacramento in 2012 (943 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 Sacramento (Sacramento County), 58.1% voted for Democrats and 39.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
2020
85.3%
61.4%
12.7%
36.1%
2.0%
2.5%
2016
84.6%
58.0%
9.2%
33.8%
6.2%
8.3%
2012
83.5%
58.1%
13.0%
39.1%
3.4%
2.8%
2008
84.4%
58.4%
13.7%
39.4%
2.0%
2.2%
2004
83.0%
49.8%
15.2%
49.6%
1.8%
0.6%
2000
75.7%
49.4%
16.1%
45.4%
8.1%
5.2%
1996
72.2%
49.8%
15.7%
40.8%
12.1%
9.4%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
CATHOLIC CHURCH
15.0%
16.2%
9.6%
5.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.3%
3.5%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
0.9%
1.2%
1.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.7%
1.7%
8.4%
8.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.4%
2.5%
1.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.5%
1.7%
1.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.6%
1.9%
2.1%
NORTH AMERICAN BAPTIST CONFERENCE
0.1%
0.6%
0.4%
2.2%
Weather
San Francisco's weather is generally cooler due to the coastal fog, with typical temperatures between 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit. There's less seasonal variation and rarely any snow. Sacramento, however, experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and damp, mild winters.
Weather and climate
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Temperature - Average
58.3°F
62.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
84.3%
66.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29%
58%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
91%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
62%
29%
Precipitation - Yearly average
22.2 in
19 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.8%
31.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
73%
83.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
52%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77%
97%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
55%
45%
Wind speed - Average
11.4 mph
6.8 mph
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Average climate in Sacramento, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
San Francisco
Sacramento
2018
104
121
0.35
0.32
11.3
9.7
23.4
24.7
0.012
0.002
28.9
N/A
11.9
12.7
0.4
N/A
2017
96
117
0.40
0.33
11.4
9.0
22.5
25.2
0.008
0.002
22.1
N/A
9.9
8.8
0.6
N/A
2016
68
103
0.39
0.44
10.6
8.0
22.4
25.3
0.005
0.002
14.0
N/A
7.9
9.0
0.8
N/A
2015
85
105
0.41
0.25
12.1
9.7
22.5
24.9
0.004
0.002
16.2
N/A
7.9
10.9
0.8
N/A
2014
85
99
0.38
0.24
12.1
10.2
21.8
24.9
0.005
0.002
15.6
N/A
7.7
9.6
0.6
N/A
2013
88
102
0.40
0.29
13.9
11.1
20.4
23.2
0.004
0.002
21.3
N/A
10.2
11.9
0.5
N/A
2012
75
107
0.40
0.31
12.8
10.5
22.7
25.2
0.003
0.002
15.2
N/A
8.2
7.9
1.1
N/A
2011
86
106
0.24
0.29
14.1
11.2
21.3
24.0
0.003
0.002
17.7
N/A
9.5
10.8
1.7
N/A
2010
84
109
0.21
0.29
13.4
11.2
22.0
22.8
0.004
N/A
16.9
N/A
10.6
9.3
1.0
0.5
2009
95
118
0.30
0.40
15.1
12.4
20.4
23.3
0.005
0.003
20.6
N/A
12.8
11.4
1.1
0.5
2008
94
130
0.43
0.40
15.6
14.9
21.7
25.4
0.007
N/A
24.3
N/A
11.7
13.6
0.9
0.5
2007
84
129
0.45
0.39
15.6
14.8
20.5
23.7
0.007
0.005
19.9
N/A
8.9
13.5
1.2
0.6
2006
86
124
0.52
0.49
16.1
15.4
21.5
22.7
N/A
N/A
23.7
N/A
8.7
13.0
1.6
0.5
2005
89
125
0.39
0.42
14.8
15.9
20.5
20.0
N/A
N/A
22.1
N/A
8.8
13.5
1.3
0.6
2004
93
119
0.44
0.49
16.1
15.8
20.9
19.1
0.004
N/A
22.7
N/A
11.2
13.3
2.5
0.6
2003
65
119
0.64
0.47
18.4
16.8
19.7
20.3
N/A
N/A
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
0.9
2002
62
114
0.69
0.50
18.6
18.1
19.6
21.2
0.008
0.004
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.5
2001
64
111
0.72
0.43
19.2
18.0
19.0
21.2
0.008
0.004
20.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.4
2000
60
107
0.71
0.55
20.3
17.9
17.1
19.5
0.017
0.004
19.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
1.4
Natural disasters
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
7.7%
8.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,468.1%
7,798.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
6%
18%
Transportation
San Francisco's public transit system is robust with options including BART and Muni. Sacramento also offers public transit with its light-rail system, but many residents prefer to commute by car.
Transport
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Amtrak stations
4
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
453
414
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
9
20
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Bicycle
2.7%
1.1%
Bus
11.4%
1%
Carpooled
9.1%
12%
Car alone
53.9%
80%
Ferryboat
0.4%
0%
Motorcycle
0.9%
0.2%
Railroad
0.7%
0.4%
Streetcar
7.9%
0.1%
Subway
1.6%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.4%
0.1%
Walked
8.3%
2.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Average
38 min
28.5 min
Other means
28.3 min
22.8 min
Public transportation
39.7 min
39 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
85.5%
88.5%
In 2 person carpool
10.1%
9.4%
In 3 person carpool
3.2%
1.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.4%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
San Francisco's housing market is known for sky-high prices, making Sacramento's real estate seem considerably affordable. Renting or buying a home in Sacramento could cost significantly less than in San Francisco.
Neighborhoods
San Francisco's neighborhoods, such as the Mission District and Nob Hill, show a vibrant, diverse cultural influence. Sacramento's neighborhoods, like East Sacramento and Midtown, reflect a more laid-back atmosphere with access to green spaces.
Houses and residents
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Houses
412,269
210,715
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.6
Median year apartment built
1953
1977
Median year house/condo built
1942
1978
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.3 years
12.8 years
Houses occupied
350,796 (85.1%)
202,093 (95.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
140,809 (40.1%)
103,994 (51.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
209,987 (59.9%)
98,099 (48.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,809
$976.09
Median monthly housing costs
$2,337
$1,558
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,670,841
$398,191
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$449,600
Median numbers of rooms
3.9
5
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.6
5.8
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$496,462
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$630,561
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$205,310
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$382,635
Median house price - mobile homes
$517,939
$104,325
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
Over $1,000,000
$463,571
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$481,210
Median house age
76
44
Renting percentage
64.2%
50.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
8,829.1
2,168.8
House value disparities
18.7%
25.5%
Household income disparities
41.7%
44%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$210,544
$109,432
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$99,969
$82,443
Housing units without a mortgage
1,778 (1.9%)
1,166 (1.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,687 (8.3%)
4,385 (6.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
91,236 (98.1%)
70,415 (98.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
471 (0.5%)
204 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,395 (10.1%)
5,362 (7.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
4
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
4.7%
1.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
2.7%
0.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Francisco
Sacramento
One, detached
19.1%
61.7%
One, attached
12.1%
6.8%
Two
9.0%
1.8%
3 or 4
11.4%
4.8%
5 to 9
9.0%
6.9%
10 to 19
9.3%
4.9%
20 to 49
11.3%
3.5%
50 or more
18.7%
7.6%
Mobile homes
0.1%
1.9%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
30,288
12,891
State government workers
22,691
40,274
Unpaid family workers
399
755
Industries and Occupations
San Francisco is globally recognized as a technology precinct home to successful startups and tech giants like Uber and Twitter. Sacramento's industries are centered on government, healthcare, and emerging tech companies.
San Francisco scores higher in healthcare with numerous top-notch medical facilities like UCSF Medical Center. Sacramento also has good healthcare options like UC Davis Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Francisco stands out for its intricate system of cable cars, bridges, and beach-side promenades. Sacramento, on the other hand, has an expansive park system and bicycling infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
San Francisco
Sacramento
Hospitals
16
17
TV stations
18
23
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
281
127
Bank institutions located here
52
31
Main business address for public companies
68
5
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
26
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Francisco
Sacramento
1999
1,402
1,003
2000
1,000
1,155
2001
733
983
2002
870
1,197
2003
1,576
2,258
2004
2,147
3,872
2005
2,344
4,610
2006
2,511
4,276
2007
2,117
2,386
2008
1,575
1,381
2009
952
647
Culture and Food
San Francisco is known for its diverse food culture, iconic Chinatown, and love of artisan coffee. Sacramento, known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," excels in farm-fresh foods and local wineries.
Sports Teams
San Francisco boasts prominent teams like the 49ers and Giants. Sacramento is home to the Kings in the NBA and enjoys a vibrant amateur sports culture.
San Francisco, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Francisco, CA and 
Sacramento, CA : 76.1 miles
