City comparison
No. Mesa's crime index is 108 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 131 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Mesa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,620 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Mesa is significant: $140,970 median household versus $82,752. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,620 in Mesa.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco wins on the job market and Mesa wins on cost of living and 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. Mesa at $1,620 average has pockets that run $1,420 and others at $2,020: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Francisco and Mesa are 666 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,620 a month in Mesa, down $856 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $82,752 in Mesa, down $58,218 (41%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 108 in Mesa, down 75 points (41%).
The move
Mesa and San Francisco are 666 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,620 a month in Mesa to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $856 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $82,752 in Mesa to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $58,218 (70%).
The crime index goes from 108 in Mesa to 183 in San Francisco, up 75 points (69%).
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Mesa, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing San Francisco and Mesa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Mesa rent is 35% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Mesa
Winner$1,620/mo
Typical rent runs $1,620 a month in Mesa versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Mesa is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $856/month back in your pocket ($10,272/year). Over five years that's $51,360 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, Mesa is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Mesa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
70% higher
San Francisco's median income is 70% higher than Mesa
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Mesa
$82,752
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $82,752 in Mesa, so typical pay runs 70% higher in San Francisco (about $58,218 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. Mesa can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
41% lower crime
Mesa's crime index is 41% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Mesa
Winner108 (100 = avg)
Mesa's crime index is 108 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 41% lower in Mesa. 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, Mesa 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 Mesa are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mesa
79°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Mesa averages about 79°F (87°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mesa sits near 79°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 better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 70% 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
Mesa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 35% cheaper here at about $1,620 a month. Choose Mesa if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Mesa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 41% lower than San Francisco (108 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
San Francisco runs $2,476/month while Mesa sits at $1,620 — roughly 35% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Francisco-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Mesa rent at $1,620/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 58/100 in Mesa.
Mesa is the default on housing cost at $1,620/month versus $2,476 in San Francisco; San Francisco stays in play when $140,970 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $856 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Mesa, plus other cities in CA and AZ.
