When it comes down to making a big move, there are piles of things to consider – one of the most important being which city to call home. New York City and San Francisco are two of the biggest and most popular cities in the United States and the world. Though they have similarities, there are plenty of important differences that come along with choosing one to move to over the other. Let’s take a look at the difference between living in NYC and living in San Francisco.
Location
The Location of NYC and SF is one of the primary differences between the two cities. New York City is situated in the state of New York on the east coast of the United States. It can take up to 10 hours to drive from NYC to SF on the opposite cost, depending on which route you take. San Francisco, however, is a city that resides in the state of California, located on the west part of the United States. It’s about 2,750 miles away from NYC.
Cost of Living
Another major difference between living in NYC and living in San Francisco is the cost of living. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in NYC is almost 65 percent higher than in San Francisco. The median home price in San Francisco is nearly double that of New York City, coming in at an estimated $1.2 million. Rent prices in SF are also around double that of NYC, meaning more of your paycheck would go toward housing if San Francisco is your chosen city.
Travel
In terms of travel, NYC and SF are poles apart. This difference is mostly thanks to the time zone distinctions between the two cities. New York City is located in the Eastern time zone while San Francisco is 3 hours behind, residing in the Pacific time zone. This shifts working hours and what time people go to sleep and wake up. New Yorkers also have an advantage when it comes to traveling as the subways are an excellent method to move around the city. San Franciscans, however, rely heavily on public transportation such as the bus or ridesharing services for getting around.
Culture
In terms of culture, the two cities share many similarities despite the thousands of miles that separate them. Both cities have a diverse population and culture, and art is deeply embraced in both cities. NYC offers a number of world-class theatres and Broadway shows, while San Francisco is home to many alternative music venues, small theatres, galleries, and museums.
Cuisine
Cuisine is also a big difference between the two cities. NYC is home to some of the best pizzerias, bagel shops, and bodegas in the US. San Francisco is known for its fresh, Mediterranean-style and Asian-inspired foods. The city is also home to some amazing seafood spots, and its farmers market scene is buzzing.
Outdoor Spaces
When it comes to outdoor spaces and accessibility to nature, NYC wins in this department. While San Francisco does have a number of parks and open spaces, such as Alamo Square and the parks near the Golden Gate Bridge, NYC offers many more green areas for activities, relaxation, and recreation. In addition, NYC boasts plenty of rivers like the Hudson, as well as hundreds of parks!
Weather
San Francisco and New York are also different in terms of climate. Much of what sets them apart is the amount of sunshine each city experiences. New York City is known for its kind of unpredictable weather – it can be sunny, raining, and snowing all within the same day – and the temperature usually varies between 40s–50s degrees all year long. SF, however, is all around sunnier and warmer. The temperature in San Francisco doesn’t dip below 50 degrees so you can generally expect mild temperatures with heaps of sun.
New York City and San Francisco are two of the most popular cities in the United States and both have their own unique charm and style. When deciding between the two it’s important to consider factors such as cost of living, cultural offerings, and accessibility. As this article shows, there are plenty of differences between NYC and SF that you should take into account when making your decision.
