City comparison
No clear edge. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Oklahoma City is significant: $140,970 median household versus $68,656. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,130 in Oklahoma City.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco wins on the job market and Oklahoma City wins on cost of living and weather. 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Francisco and Oklahoma City are 1,386 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $1,346 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $72,314 (51%).
The crime index stays 183 in both cities.
The move
Oklahoma City and San Francisco are 1,386 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,346 a month (119%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $72,314 (105%).
The crime index stays 183 in both cities.
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Oklahoma City, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing San Francisco and Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
54% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 54% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Oklahoma City is 54% cheaper. That's roughly $1,346/month back in your pocket ($16,152/year). Over five years that's $80,760 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, Oklahoma City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
105% higher
San Francisco's median income is 105% higher than Oklahoma City
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 105% higher in San Francisco (about $72,314 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. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
Neck and neck
San Francisco and Oklahoma City are about even on crime index.
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
San Francisco and Oklahoma City post similar crime indexes (183 vs 183, where 100 is the national average). A small gap at the city level can still hide a huge neighborhood spread. Walk the specific block, check lighting and late-night activity, and use each city's full report for violent vs. property crime instead of stopping at the headline index.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Oklahoma City weather is 6% more comfortable than San Francisco
San Francisco
63°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 94/100
Oklahoma City
Winner68°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 63°F (69°F highs); Oklahoma City averages about 68°F (79°F highs). San Francisco averages around 63°F. Oklahoma City sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Oklahoma City scores 6% 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 San Francisco if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 105% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 54% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Oklahoma City if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (68°F) beat San Francisco on this page's weather index by 6%. San Francisco may pay more or cost less, but Oklahoma City is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,130/month in Oklahoma City versus $2,476 in San Francisco. Median income reads $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $140,970 in San Francisco, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 63°F in San Francisco and 68°F in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City 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 $1,346/month in Oklahoma City.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Oklahoma City when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Oklahoma City, plus other cities in CA and OK.
