City comparison
Yes. New York's crime index is 169 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 195 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
New York is cheaper. Median rent is $1,821 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between New York and San Francisco is significant: $80,483 median household versus $140,970. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,821 in New York and $2,476 in San Francisco.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. New York costs less and San Francisco pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. New York at $1,821 average has pockets that run $1,621 and others at $2,221: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
New York and San Francisco are 2,566 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $655 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $60,487 (75%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 183 in San Francisco, up 14 points (8%).
The move
San Francisco and New York are 2,566 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,821 a month in New York, down $655 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $80,483 in New York, down $60,487 (43%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 169 in New York, down 14 points (8%).
New York, NY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing New York and San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
New York rent is 26% cheaper than San Francisco
New York
Winner$1,821/mo
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Typical rent runs $1,821 a month in New York versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so New York is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $655/month back in your pocket ($7,860/year). Over five years that's $39,300 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in San Francisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, New York is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in New York? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
75% higher
San Francisco's median income is 75% higher than New York
New York
$80,483
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $80,483 in New York, so typical pay runs 75% higher in San Francisco (about $60,487 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, San Francisco is the stronger labor market on paper. New York can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
8% lower crime
New York's crime index is 8% lower than San Francisco
New York
Winner169 (100 = avg)
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
New York's crime index is 169 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in New York. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in New York, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in San Francisco. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
18% more comfortable
San Francisco weather is 18% more comfortable than New York
New York
58°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 80/100
San Francisco
Winner63°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 94/100
New York averages about 58°F (65°F highs); San Francisco averages about 63°F (69°F highs). New York averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. San Francisco averages around 63°F. San Francisco scores 18% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose New York if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
New York is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% cheaper here at about $1,821 a month. Choose New York if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
New York is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than San Francisco (169 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 75% higher ($140,970), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 63°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
San Francisco posts $140,970 median household income against $80,483 in New York. That 43% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,821 in New York and $2,476 in San Francisco.
San Francisco still pays more locally ($140,970 median income vs $80,483), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Francisco rates.
Weather averages land near 58°F in New York and 63°F in San Francisco.
San Francisco leads on local pay ($140,970 median income vs $80,483), even though rent runs $2,476 versus $1,821 — skip San Francisco only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for New York when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for New York and San Francisco, plus other cities in NY and CA.
