San Francisco, CA and West Adams, CO are two very different locations on the U.S. map, each with its own unique set of characteristics. While San Francisco is a bustling metropolis known for its tech scene and cultural diversity, West Adams is a tight-knit rural community with a much slower pace of life. What follows is a detailed comparison of these two locations focused on aspects like crime and safety, cost of living, work and economy, and more.
San Francisco's crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, something potential relocators or tourists should be aware of. Property crimes are particularly common. In comparison, West Adams, like many more rural locations, boasts a significantly lower crime rate, offering a safe environment for both residents and visitors.
Cost of Living
Living in San Francisco can be quite expensive, with costs significantly higher than the national average primarily due to housing prices. West Adams has a significantly lower cost of living, with housing and other living expenses being relatively affordable.
Income Tax
Similarly, California has one of the highest income tax rates in the country, making San Francisco a more taxing place to live than West Adams.
Property Tax
Like other taxes, property taxes in San Francisco are higher than those in West Adams, further exacerbating the cost differentials between these two locations.
Sales Tax
San Francisco has a higher sales tax rate compared to West Adams, reflecting California's overall high-tax environment.
Income
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Estimated median household income
$121,826
$86,329
Estimated per capita income
$80,383
$37,504
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
141.1
117.6
If you make $50,000 in West Adams, you will have to make $59,991 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco's geographical features like its hills and proximity to the ocean shape its unique character. West Adams, situated in the Rocky Mountains, offers beautiful natural landscapes and outdoor activities.
Geographical information
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Land area
46.7 sq. miles
74.5 sq. miles
Population density
17,458 people per sq. mile
4,165.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
San Francisco, CA West Adams, CO
Education
While both locations offer public education, San Francisco is home to many high-performing schools and is close to several renowned universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley. West Adams also has decent educational facilities with a more personalized approach due to smaller class sizes.
San Francisco's economy is robust and diverse, with a particular focus on technology and finance. West Adams, however, relies primarily on agriculture and small local businesses.
Biggest Employers
Tech giants like Google, Apple, and Facebook are amongst the biggest employers in San Francisco. In contrast, West Adams depends more on local businesses and farming.
In San Francisco (San Francisco County), 83.5% voted for Democrats and 13.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In West Adams (Adams County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 40.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
2020
85.3%
57.1%
12.7%
40.7%
2.0%
2.2%
2016
84.6%
50.1%
9.2%
41.6%
6.2%
8.3%
2012
83.5%
57.3%
13.0%
40.4%
3.4%
2.3%
2008
84.4%
58.5%
13.7%
40.1%
2.0%
1.4%
2004
83.0%
50.7%
15.2%
48.4%
1.8%
0.9%
2000
75.7%
50.3%
16.1%
44.2%
8.1%
5.5%
1996
72.2%
51.3%
15.7%
38.9%
12.1%
9.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
CATHOLIC CHURCH
15.0%
16.0%
9.6%
4.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.1%
3.5%
1.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
0.1%
1.2%
0.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.7%
0.7%
8.4%
7.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.0%
2.5%
0.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.4%
1.7%
2.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
0.7%
1.5%
3.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.4%
1.9%
3.3%
Weather
San Francisco's weather is mild and generally pleasant year-round, with average temperatures ranging from 50 to 70°F. West Adams, on the other hand, experiences more weather extremes due to its higher altitude, with much colder winters and a propensity for heavy snowfall.
Weather and climate
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Temperature - Average
58.3°F
49.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
84.3%
50.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29%
20%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
91%
55%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
62%
35%
Precipitation - Yearly average
22.2 in
13.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
114 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.8%
19.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
73%
75.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
55%
64%
Wind speed - Average
11.4 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Average climate in West Adams, Colorado
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
San Francisco
West Adams
2018
104
104
0.35
0.31
11.3
18.6
23.4
27.9
0.012
N/A
29.2
N/A
11.9
9.2
0.4
0.8
2017
96
97
0.40
0.31
11.4
18.8
22.5
27.6
0.008
N/A
22.0
N/A
9.9
8.9
0.6
0.9
2016
68
90
0.39
0.40
10.6
20.9
22.4
26.6
0.005
N/A
22.6
N/A
7.9
8.4
0.8
0.9
2015
85
101
0.41
0.42
12.1
19.7
22.5
25.9
0.004
N/A
20.2
N/A
7.9
9.4
0.8
1.1
2014
85
94
0.38
0.38
12.1
19.1
21.8
27.4
0.005
N/A
19.3
N/A
7.7
10.1
0.6
1.2
2013
88
83
0.40
0.37
13.9
17.3
20.4
27.5
0.004
N/A
18.7
N/A
10.2
N/A
0.5
1.3
2012
75
90
0.40
0.37
12.8
18.9
22.7
27.4
0.003
N/A
23.5
N/A
8.2
N/A
1.1
0.9
2011
86
90
0.24
0.35
14.1
18.1
21.3
28.0
0.003
N/A
24.0
N/A
9.5
N/A
1.7
1.4
2010
84
78
0.21
0.37
13.4
16.3
22.0
26.6
0.004
N/A
27.1
N/A
10.6
N/A
1.0
1.0
2009
95
76
0.30
0.35
15.1
14.1
20.4
26.6
0.005
0.005
23.0
N/A
12.8
N/A
1.1
1.3
2008
94
85
0.43
0.39
15.6
17.3
21.7
27.9
0.007
0.008
25.9
N/A
11.7
N/A
0.9
1.6
2007
84
96
0.45
0.46
15.6
20.6
20.5
25.4
0.007
0.007
27.8
N/A
8.9
N/A
1.2
1.2
2006
86
89
0.52
0.49
16.1
19.0
21.5
24.1
N/A
0.034
28.0
N/A
8.7
N/A
1.6
1.4
2005
89
86
0.39
0.56
14.8
21.3
20.5
21.4
N/A
0.124
29.5
N/A
8.8
N/A
1.3
1.5
2004
93
82
0.44
0.59
16.1
21.2
20.9
19.4
0.004
0.051
28.6
N/A
11.2
N/A
2.5
1.9
2003
65
106
0.64
0.55
18.4
21.2
19.7
21.1
N/A
0.055
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
1.9
2002
62
86
0.69
0.56
18.6
19.2
19.6
20.9
0.008
0.034
35.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2.4
2001
64
95
0.72
0.69
19.2
24.6
19.0
17.7
0.008
0.040
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2.5
2000
60
94
0.71
0.67
20.3
14.1
17.1
19.0
0.017
0.042
12.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
7.7%
130.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,468.1%
809.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
6%
11%
Transportation
Public transit is widely used in San Francisco, with options like buses, trams, and the BART system. West Adams, on the other hand, requires personal transport due to its rural nature.
Transport
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Amtrak stations
4
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
453
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
9
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Bicycle
2.7%
0.2%
Bus
11.4%
4.2%
Carpooled
9.1%
13.1%
Car alone
53.9%
77.4%
Ferryboat
0.4%
0%
Motorcycle
0.9%
0.2%
Railroad
0.7%
0%
Streetcar
7.9%
0.1%
Subway
1.6%
0%
Taxicab
0.4%
0%
Walked
8.3%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Average
38 min
28.2 min
Real Estate
San Francisco's real estate market is one of the most expensive in the nation, while West Adams offers much more affordable pricing, albeit with fewer amenities and facilities.
Neighborhoods
San Francisco is renowned for its vibrant neighborhoods, each with its distinctive character. West Adams, being a smaller community, offers a more unified but friendly atmosphere.
Houses and residents
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
Houses
412,269
96,976
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.7
Houses occupied
350,796 (85.1%)
94,294 (97.2%)
Houses occupied by owners
140,809 (40.1%)
68,196 (72.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
209,987 (59.9%)
26,098 (27.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,809
$1,683
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,670,841
$576,371
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$438,983
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.6
6.8
Renting percentage
64.2%
35.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
8,829.1
1,301.4
Household income disparities
41.7%
38.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,778 (1.9%)
8,555 (15.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,687 (8.3%)
181 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
91,236 (98.1%)
46,792 (84.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
471 (0.5%)
4,321 (7.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,395 (10.1%)
10,023 (18.1%)
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
6,415
State government workers
22,691
3,185
Unpaid family workers
399
326
Industries and Occupations
San Francisco is a hub for IT and finance professionals, while West Adams is more agriculturally focused, with many locals employed in farming and related industries.
San Francisco is home to world-class healthcare facilities and access to specialists. While smaller, West Adams also takes care of its residents' health needs through local clinics and hospitals.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Francisco boasts world-class infrastructure, with numerous airports, well-developed public transit, and advanced medical facilities. West Adams is relatively basic in terms of infrastructure but still provides necessary services.
Infrastructure
Type
San Francisco
West Adams
TV stations
18
17
Culture and Food
San Francisco is a melting pot of cultures, reflected in its diverse food scene and rich cultural events. West Adams provides a more traditional American lifestyle, with local festivals and comfort foods forming a major part of its identity.
Sports Teams
San Francisco is home to several major sports teams like the 49ers (NFL) and the Giants (MLB). West Adams has no major sports teams, but local sports form an important part of community life.
San Francisco, CA
West Adams, CO
San Francisco, CA and 
West Adams, CO : 948.9 miles
