55
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
48
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
New York wins 3–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
New York wins 3–2 overall (55/100)
💰 New York is more affordable
💼 New York has lower unemployment
🛡️ San Francisco has fewer disasters
📋 New York vs San Francisco — The Verdict
New York scores 55.2/100 compared to San Francisco's 48/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, New York has a clear edge with home prices 46% lower. New York may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in New York are 46% lower — a difference of $616,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in New York saves you $602/month — that's $7,224 per year.
💵
Households in San Francisco earn $60,082 more per year (78% higher median income).
📊
New York has a 0.9 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
San Francisco has experienced 3 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
Median Home Value
$732,100
$1,348,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,714
$2,316
Median Income
$76,607
$136,689
The affordability gap is significant — New York offers home prices 46% lower than San Francisco, translating to $616,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.5%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with New York having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
0
36 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from New York to San Francisco: Common Questions
Is New York or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
New York is more affordable overall. Home prices are $616,600 lower in New York. Monthly rent is $1,714 in New York vs $2,316 in San Francisco.
Does New York or San Francisco have better weather?
New York scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is New York or San Francisco better for finding a job?
New York currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in New York vs 5.5% in San Francisco. Median household income is $76,607 in New York and $136,689 in San Francisco.
Which city is safer — New York or San Francisco?
In terms of natural disaster risk, San Francisco is safer. New York has had 9 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 6 in San Francisco. New York scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for San Francisco.
Should I move from New York to San Francisco?
Based on our data, New York scores 55.2/100 vs San Francisco's 48.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — New York is more affordable, while New York has a better climate.
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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals,
EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data.
Last updated: April 4, 2026.