San Francisco vs Denver: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
San Francisco's median home value is $1,348,700 — 150% higher than Denver's $540,400.
Households earn a median $136,689 in San Francisco, compared with $85,853 in Denver.
Monthly rent typically costs $2,316 in San Francisco and $1,665 in Denver.
San Francisco's FEMA hazard rating (Very High) is higher than Denver's (Relatively High) — worth noting if climate risk factors into your decision.
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 851,036 | 710,800 |
| Median home value | $1,348,700 | $540,400 |
| Median household income | $136,689 | $85,853 |
| Median gross rent | $2,316 | $1,665 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Very High | Relatively High |
San Francisco, CA runs higher than Denver, CO on both median home value and rent — a clear housing-cost edge for Denver, CO, though only on housing.
- Best cities in California
- Best cities in Colorado
- Seattle vs Denver: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Los Angeles vs San Francisco: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- San Francisco vs San Jose: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.