City comparison
No. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
San Francisco is cheaper. Median rent is $2,476 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
Safety is where San Francisco and Irvine split most clearly. Irvine scores 132 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,476 in San Francisco and $2,997 in Irvine.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco wins on cost of living and the job market and Irvine wins on safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. San Francisco at $2,476 average has pockets that run $2,276 and others at $2,876: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Francisco and Irvine are 383 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $521 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $136,719 in Irvine, down $4,251 (3%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 51 in Irvine, down 132 points (72%).
The move
Irvine and San Francisco are 383 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, down $521 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $4,251 (3%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 183 in San Francisco, up 132 points (259%).
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Irvine, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing San Francisco and Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
San Francisco rent is 17% cheaper than Irvine
San Francisco
Winner$2,476/mo
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Typical rent runs $2,476 a month in San Francisco versus $2,997 in Irvine, so San Francisco is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $6,252, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. San Francisco still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Irvine.
Planning to buy in San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
San Francisco's median income is 3% higher than Irvine
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Irvine
$136,719
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $136,719 in Irvine, so typical pay runs 3% higher in San Francisco (about $4,251 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
72% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 72% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% lower in Irvine. 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, Irvine is the easier city. San Francisco can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Francisco and Irvine are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irvine sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
San Francisco is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $2,476 a month. Choose San Francisco if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 3% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Irvine is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 72% lower than San Francisco (51 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
Safety is the widest gap: Irvine scores 80/100 versus 42/100 in San Francisco. Rent is $2,997/month in Irvine and $2,476/month in San Francisco, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (80/100 in Irvine vs 42/100 in San Francisco), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $136,719 in Irvine.
Between San Francisco and Irvine, Irvine is ahead on safety — 80/100 safety versus 42/100. Lean San Francisco instead when you already know the San Francisco block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Irvine, plus other cities in CA.
