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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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Mountain ViewvsSan Francisco

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Mountain View to San Francisco will save you approximately $77,531 on median home prices (8.1% less). Monthly rent is $323 cheaper in San Francisco. Note that median income is 0.0% lower in San Francisco.

Housing
8.1% cheaper
Rent
8.1% cheaper
View Mountain ViewView San Francisco
San Francisco

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Mountain View, CA

Median Home Price$960,410
Monthly Rent$4,002
Median Income$82,922
Population80,438
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Destination

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$882,879-8.1%
Monthly Rent
$3,679-8.1%
Median Income
$82,922+0.0%
Population864,816
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Mountain View

2015$3,301
2020$3,188
2025$4,002

San Francisco

2015$3,234
2020$2,856
2025$3,679

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in San Francisco.

Mountain View

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$72,721

San Francisco

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,844
Costs

Key Insights

8.1%
Housing Cost
cheaper in San Francisco
$323
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
0.0%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Mountain View

Population80,438
Median Age33.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

San Francisco

Population864,816
Median Age38.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Mountain View

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

San Francisco

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Mountain View?

San Francisco is 8.1% cheaper for housing than Mountain View. The median home price in San Francisco is $882,879 compared to $960,410 in Mountain View, a savings of $77,531.

What is the rent difference between Mountain View and San Francisco?

Monthly rent in San Francisco averages $3,679, while Mountain View averages $4,002. That's a savings of $323 per month, or $3,877 annually.

How do incomes compare between Mountain View and San Francisco?

The median household income in San Francisco is $82,922, which is 0.0% lower than Mountain View's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Mountain View or San Francisco?

Mountain View has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while San Francisco has 481 per 100k. Mountain View is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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