

San Francisco, CA vs San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA comes out ahead of San Francisco, CA on 29 of 46 statistics where one end is better, to 17. San Jose, CA leads on Economics and Crime & Safety.
46 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 17
- Avg. percentile
- 42
- Categories led
- 0
- Wins
- 29
- Avg. percentile
- 47
- Categories led
- 2
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 812,530 17th of 477 | 984,378 13th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $140,970 38th of 434 | $146,427 37th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1.39M 411th of 434 | $1.23M 408th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 11.2% 135th of 434 | 8.12% 76th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 115.6 tied last of 460 | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $100,220 tied 10th of 460 | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $2,476 400th of 434 | $2,669 407th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 486.2 250th of 395 | 503.4 261st of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsSan Jose, CA · 14 statistics
- Crime & SafetySan Jose, CA · 5 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 106.2 tied 435th of 460 | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 93.0% 150th of 434 | 95.4% 65th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 11.2% 135th of 434 | 8.12% 76th of 434 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,932.4 317th of 395 | 2,372.1 266th of 395 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 108.5 tied 441st of 460 | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 30.4 390th of 434 | 27.3 337th of 434 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 465.5 340th of 395 | 336.8 292nd of 395 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 3.4 195th of 395 | 2.4 149th of 395 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 115.6 tied last of 460 | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 60.3% 59th of 434 | 47.3% 103rd of 434 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 172.6 tied 439th of 460 | 156.7 tied 401st of 460 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 374.1 314th of 395 | 518.2 347th of 395 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 486.2 250th of 395 | 503.4 261st of 395 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $100,220 tied 10th of 460 | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $74,260 tied 10th of 460 | $84,050 tied 1st of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 194.7 tied 438th of 460 | 211.9 tied last of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $2,476 400th of 434 | $2,669 407th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1.39M 411th of 434 | $1.23M 408th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $140,970 38th of 434 | $146,427 37th of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, San Francisco, CA or San Jose, CA?
- San Jose, CA comes out ahead of San Francisco, CA on 29 of 46 statistics where one end is better, to 17. San Jose, CA leads on Economics and Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, San Francisco, CA or San Jose, CA?
- San Francisco, CA has a population of 812,530 (17th of 477 US cities) and San Jose, CA has 984,378 (13th of 477).
- How do San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: San Francisco, CA $140,970 (38th of 434), San Jose, CA $146,427 (37th of 434) among US cities. San Jose, CA ranks better.
- How do San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): San Francisco, CA $1.39M (411th of 434), San Jose, CA $1.23M (408th of 434) among US cities. San Jose, CA ranks better.
- Where does San Francisco, CA beat San Jose, CA most clearly?
- San Francisco, CA ranks far ahead on Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 60.3% vs 47.3%; Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 374.1 vs 518.2; Violent Crime Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 486.2 vs 503.4.
- Where does San Jose, CA beat San Francisco, CA most clearly?
- San Jose, CA ranks far ahead on Price Level (Other Services) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 100.3 vs 106.2; Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 95.4% vs 93.0%; Poverty Rate (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 8.12% vs 11.2%.
More matchups
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