City comparison
No. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between Philadelphia and San Francisco is significant: $61,953 median household versus $140,970. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $2,476 in San Francisco.
San Francisco is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone San Francisco is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and San Francisco are 2,517 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,079 a month (77%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $79,017 (128%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 183 in San Francisco, down 78 points (30%).
The move
San Francisco and Philadelphia are 2,517 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $1,079 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $79,017 (56%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 261 in Philadelphia, up 78 points (43%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 44% cheaper than San Francisco
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Philadelphia is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $1,079/month back in your pocket ($12,948/year). Over five years that's $64,740 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, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
128% higher
San Francisco's median income is 128% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 128% higher in San Francisco (about $79,017 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. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
30% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 30% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in San Francisco. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, San Francisco is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
San Francisco weather is 13% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
San Francisco
Winner63°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 94/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); San Francisco averages about 63°F (69°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. San Francisco averages around 63°F. San Francisco scores 13% 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 44% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 128% 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.
San Francisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Philadelphia (183 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.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,397/month in Philadelphia versus $2,476 in San Francisco. Median income reads $61,953 in Philadelphia and $140,970 in San Francisco, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 31/100 in Philadelphia and 42/100 in San Francisco.
Philadelphia clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. San Francisco deserves a serious look only when your $140,970 income offer in San Francisco outweighs saving $1,079/month in Philadelphia.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and San Francisco, plus other cities in PA and CA.
