CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch

San Francisco vs Anaheim: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

San Francisco is 31% more expensive than Anaheim. Anaheim is 57% safer. San Francisco population: 826,079. Anaheim population: 341,008.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingAnaheim
SafetyAnaheim
HousingAnaheim

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: San Francisco vs Anaheim

Anaheim is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 145 vs 190 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 45 index points.

CategorySan FranciscoAnaheim
Overall Index190145
Housing$5,518/moIndex: 310$4,094/moIndex: 230
Groceries$484/moIndex: 118$435/moIndex: 106
Transportation$420/moIndex: 120$392/moIndex: 112
Healthcare$368/moIndex: 115$339/moIndex: 106
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$209/moIndex: 95

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: San Francisco vs Anaheim

Anaheim is 57% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents vs San Francisco's 49.5. Anaheim earns a B- safety grade compared to San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
TrendImproving
B-

Anaheim

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.5/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricSan FranciscoAnaheim
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K21.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0375.9
Property Crime Rate4500.01769.6
Murder Rate6.86.9
Assault Rate288.5310.1
Robbery Rate61.055.4
Burglary Rate699.8235.2
Theft Rate3660.41454.6
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0388.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 47 in Anaheim.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for San Francisco. A full comparison requires both cities.

San Francisco Climate Overview

Annual High64.1°F
Annual Low51°F
Annual Rain22.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Comfortable

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco cheaper than Anaheim?
Anaheim is 31% more affordable than San Francisco, with a cost of living index of 145 vs 190 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $5,518/mo in San Francisco vs $4,094/mo in Anaheim.
Is San Francisco safer than Anaheim?
Anaheim is 57% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents vs San Francisco's 49.5. Anaheim earns a B- safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to San Francisco or Anaheim?
It depends on your priorities. Anaheim is safer (B- grade). Anaheim is more affordable (index 145 vs 190). San Francisco has a population of 826,079 and Anaheim has 341,008. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is San Francisco compared to Anaheim?
San Francisco has a population of 826,079 and Anaheim has 341,008. San Francisco is 142% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in San Francisco or Anaheim?
Housing is cheaper in Anaheim. Estimated monthly housing costs: San Francisco $5,518/mo vs Anaheim $4,094/mo. That's based on a housing index of 310 vs 230 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
San Francisco Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
B-
Anaheim Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities