⚖️ City comparison
San Francisco vs Valencia
Thinking of leaving San Francisco for Valencia? Here is how life in Valencia, Spain compares with San Francisco on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Valencia is 58% cheaper: $2,214 vs $5,272 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Valencia: $1,388 vs $3,643 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Valencia has more pleasant weather: 9 pleasant months a year vs 8.
- Valencia is warmer: highs average 11°F more across the year (coldest-month high 63°F vs 57°F in San Francisco; hottest 89°F vs 71°F).
- Residents rate Valencia safer: a safety index of 63 vs 40 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- The air is cleaner in San Francisco: PM2.5 of 4.6 vs 10.6 µg/m³ a year.
- To live in Valencia you'd need a visa: Spain offers the Digital Nomad Visa (Startup Act) ($3,274/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇺🇸 San Francisco | 🇪🇸 Valencia |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 51 | 73 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $5,272 | $2,214 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $3,643 | $1,388 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,629 | $825 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 8 | 9 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 57–71°F | 63–89°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 40/100 (residents) | 63/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 364 Mbps | 395 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 4.6 µg/m³ | 10.6 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Official language | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | High | Very high |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | Very high |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | In the US | ~8h to New York |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 6 h | 1 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | You live here | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Not needed | Digital Nomad Visa (Startup Act) |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | US tax as now | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 47% |
Best months to be there
🇺🇸 San Francisco
3 best months
🇪🇸 Valencia
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: San Francisco climate · Valencia climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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