San Francisco, California and Spring Valley, Nevada, while both being part of the lively West Coast, offer considerably different living experiences. The high-paced, dynamic life of San Francisco stands in contrast to the more laid-back, suburban feel of Spring Valley. Below, we delve into different aspects such as crime and safety, weather, cost of living, and more, to give a comprehensive comparison of life in these two cities.
Distance between
San Francisco, CA and
Spring Valley, NV : 412.8 miles
San Francisco's population is larger by 282%. Its population has grown by 38,468 people (5.0%) since 2000. The population of Spring Valley has grown by 96,162 people (81.9%) during that time.
San Francisco has a notably higher crime rate compared to Spring Valley. While both places are generally safe, tourists and residents should be aware of their surroundings, especially in certain neighborhoods. In recent years, San Francisco has seen an increase in property crime, particularly car break-ins, although violent crime rates remain relatively low. Spring Valley features a somewhat lower crime rate, more typical of suburban areas.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is significantly higher in San Francisco compared to Spring Valley. San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., with high housing costs leading the way. On the other hand, Spring Valley, while not cheap, offers a lower cost of living, making it more affordable for many.
Income Tax
California has a progressive income tax while Nevada has no state income tax, potentially making Spring Valley an attractive location for those with high incomes.
Property Tax
Property tax in San Francisco is estimated at around 0.64% while Spring Valley has a lower rate at around 0.60%.
Sales Tax
The sales tax in San Francisco, at around 8.5%, is higher than Spring Valley's approximate 7%.
Income
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Estimated median household income
$121,826
$61,179
Estimated per capita income
$80,383
$34,242
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
141.1
100.2
If you make $50,000 in Spring Valley, you will have to make $70,409 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco is characterized by its steep rolling hills and waterfront, providing picturesque scenery. Spring Valley, located in the Mojave Desert, offers a unique desert landscape surrounded by mountains.
San Francisco hosts renowned universities and has a well-established public school system. High schools in SF have constantly achieved high rankings nationwide. Spring Valley's educational system is good, although it may not have the high-profile educational institutions San Francisco boasts.
Both cities offer ample job opportunities but in different sectors. San Francisco, being in the heart of Silicon Valley, is a hub for the technology sector. Spring Valley's economy, while diverse, is heavily centered around tourism, hospitality, and retail due to its proximity to Las Vegas.
Biggest Employers
Some of the biggest employers in San Francisco include Salesforce, Uber, and PG&E. In Spring Valley, many residents are employed by nearby Las Vegas casinos, retail outlets, and restaurants.
In San Francisco (San Francisco County), 83.5% voted for Democrats and 13.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Spring Valley (Clark County), 56.4% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
2020
85.3%
53.7%
12.7%
44.3%
2.0%
2.0%
2016
84.6%
52.4%
9.2%
41.7%
6.2%
5.8%
2012
83.5%
56.4%
13.0%
41.8%
3.4%
1.8%
2008
84.4%
58.5%
13.7%
39.5%
2.0%
2.0%
2004
83.0%
51.8%
15.2%
46.9%
1.8%
1.3%
2000
75.7%
51.4%
16.1%
44.8%
8.1%
3.8%
1996
72.2%
75.5%
15.7%
18.8%
12.1%
5.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
CATHOLIC CHURCH
15.0%
18.1%
9.6%
4.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.1%
3.5%
1.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
0.1%
1.2%
0.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.7%
1.6%
8.4%
11.2%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.2%
2.5%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.4%
1.7%
1.6%
Weather
Climate-wise, San Francisco is known for its cool summers, fog, and mild winters, while Spring Valley boasts a desert climate with hot summers and short, mild winters. San Francisco's iconic foggy weather is both loved and hated by residents and visitors. Spring Valley offers more sunshine days, which can be an advantage for those craving warm weather.
Weather and climate
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Temperature - Average
58.3°F
66.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
84.3%
30.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29%
42.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
91%
52.1%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
62%
10.1%
Precipitation - Yearly average
22.2 in
5.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
1.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.8%
35.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
73%
91.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77%
91.9%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
55%
75.9%
Wind speed - Average
11.4 mph
9.2 mph
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Average climate in Spring Valley, Nevada
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
San Francisco
Spring Valley
2018
104
102
0.35
0.42
11.3
14.5
23.4
34.8
0.012
N/A
24.6
N/A
11.9
6.5
0.4
0.7
2017
96
102
0.40
0.31
11.4
14.5
22.5
34.4
0.008
N/A
20.1
N/A
9.9
6.3
0.6
0.8
2016
68
111
0.39
0.38
10.6
12.2
22.4
33.6
0.005
N/A
18.8
N/A
7.9
8.1
0.8
0.8
2015
85
92
0.41
0.38
12.1
13.2
22.5
33.7
0.004
N/A
18.7
N/A
7.9
8.0
0.8
1.2
2014
85
92
0.38
0.41
12.1
11.5
21.8
33.3
0.005
N/A
18.6
N/A
7.7
8.7
0.6
1.4
2013
88
103
0.40
0.44
13.9
10.7
20.4
33.8
0.004
N/A
18.7
N/A
10.2
8.1
0.5
1.5
2012
75
98
0.40
0.48
12.8
6.1
22.7
34.1
0.003
N/A
21.0
N/A
8.2
7.8
1.1
1.4
2011
86
86
0.24
0.42
14.1
5.3
21.3
34.1
0.003
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.5
7.1
1.7
1.2
2010
84
87
0.21
0.50
13.4
5.7
22.0
33.3
0.004
N/A
14.6
N/A
10.6
6.6
1.0
N/A
2009
95
83
0.30
0.57
15.1
6.0
20.4
32.0
0.005
N/A
17.9
N/A
12.8
7.8
1.1
N/A
2008
94
82
0.43
0.63
15.6
8.2
21.7
33.2
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
8.5
0.9
N/A
2007
84
98
0.45
0.53
15.6
10.6
20.5
33.6
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
8.2
1.2
0.1
2006
86
102
0.52
0.71
16.1
10.8
21.5
31.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
8.1
1.6
0.8
2005
89
101
0.39
0.76
14.8
12.6
20.5
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
7.7
1.3
5.3
2004
93
88
0.44
0.74
16.1
13.6
20.9
30.5
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.2
N/A
2.5
1.6
2003
65
99
0.64
0.52
18.4
12.8
19.7
30.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
0.9
2002
62
95
0.69
0.12
18.6
12.4
19.6
30.5
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
0.7
2001
64
96
0.72
0.07
19.2
11.3
19.0
30.3
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.0
2000
60
96
0.71
0.37
20.3
11.6
17.1
31.8
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
0.4
Natural disasters
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
7.7%
2.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,468.1%
6,139.5%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
6%
12%
Transportation
San Francisco is well-served by BART and Muni systems, along with biking routes and walking paths, reducing commute times. Spring Valley, still more car-dependent, does offer bus services which run throughout the city.
Transport
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Amtrak stations
4
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
453
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
9
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Bicycle
2.7%
0.3%
Bus
11.4%
3.1%
Carpooled
9.1%
14.1%
Car alone
53.9%
76.5%
Ferryboat
0.4%
0%
Motorcycle
0.9%
0.3%
Railroad
0.7%
0%
Streetcar
7.9%
0%
Subway
1.6%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.4%
0.1%
Walked
8.3%
1.7%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Average
38 min
25.7 min
Other means
28.3 min
21.1 min
Public transportation
39.7 min
47.6 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
85.5%
88%
In 2 person carpool
10.1%
9.6%
In 3 person carpool
3.2%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The housing market is steep in San Francisco, with it consistently being among the most expensive in the country. Spring Valley, although increasing, offers a more affordable housing market, especially for families looking for suburban homes.
Neighborhoods
From the energy of the Mission District to the quiet elegance of Presidio, San Francisco offers diverse neighborhoods. Spring Valley is less diverse, but offers quiet, family-friendly neighborhoods.
Houses and residents
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
Houses
412,269
94,405
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.5
Median year apartment built
1953
1998
Median year house/condo built
1942
2000
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.3 years
9.9 years
Houses occupied
350,796 (85.1%)
88,063 (93.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
140,809 (40.1%)
40,227 (45.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
209,987 (59.9%)
47,836 (54.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,809
$485.59
Median monthly housing costs
$2,337
$1,400
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,670,841
$442,486
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$382,400
Median numbers of rooms
3.9
4.8
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.6
5.8
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$443,713
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$138,481
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$191,015
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$200,235
Median house price - mobile homes
$517,939
$131,058
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
Over $1,000,000
$392,352
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$402,364
Median house age
76
23
Renting percentage
64.2%
48.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
8,829.1
2,830.3
House value disparities
18.7%
26.1%
Household income disparities
41.7%
45.3%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$210,544
$82,617
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$99,969
$65,301
Housing units without a mortgage
1,778 (1.9%)
443 (1.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,687 (8.3%)
2,148 (8.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
91,236 (98.1%)
25,336 (98.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
471 (0.5%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,395 (10.1%)
2,758 (10.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
6
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
4
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
4.7%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
2.7%
0.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Francisco
Spring Valley
One, detached
19.1%
49.6%
One, attached
12.1%
7.5%
Two
9.0%
1.3%
3 or 4
11.4%
6.6%
5 to 9
9.0%
9.7%
10 to 19
9.3%
5.8%
20 to 49
11.3%
3.6%
50 or more
18.7%
13.1%
Mobile homes
0.1%
2.7%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
30,288
5,829
State government workers
22,691
1,795
Unpaid family workers
399
0
Industries and Occupations
Expectedly, the predominant industry in San Francisco is tech, followed by healthcare and finance. Spring Valley leans heavily on the hospitality, gaming, and retail industries.
San Francisco hosts some of the best healthcare facilities in the country, including UCSF Medical Center. Spring Valley, while offering solid health care services, may not compare to the large number of world-renowned medical centers in San Francisco.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Francisco
Spring Valley
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
With a network of bridges, ferries, and a solid public transit system, San Francisco offers superior accessibility compared to Spring Valley. Infrastructure in Spring Valley, although adequate, is more car-dependent.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Francisco
Spring Valley
1999
1,402
484
2000
1,000
101
2001
733
34
2002
870
51
2003
1,576
1,226
2004
2,147
2,298
2005
2,344
3,570
2006
2,511
2,556
2007
2,117
1,323
2008
1,575
659
2009
952
337
Culture and Food
San Francisco is globally known for its diverse culture and excellent food scene. Spring Valley, being located next to Las Vegas, also offers a good food scene with diverse options, but may lack in the accessibility of cultural arts compared to San Francisco.
Sports Teams
As for sports, San Francisco is home to several professional teams, including the 49ers and Giants, providing rich sports culture. Meanwhile, Spring Valley residents primarily support Las Vegas teams, such as the Raiders and the Golden Knights.
San Francisco, CA
Spring Valley, NV
