The 15 Safest Neighborhoods In San Francisco [With Statistics]

The San Francisco area has long been a desirable place to live, frequently ranking high on lists of both the “Best Places to Live in California” and the “Best Places to Live.” The city has also been named the happiest city in America, offering a very carefree, laid-back lifestyle. Although San Francisco is only the 11th most populous city in the country, it ranks second, after New York, in terms of population density. The city spans 46 square miles, and with a population of over 883K, there is a staggering roughly 19,000 people per square mile.

Based on statistics, Outer Sunset, Crocker Amazon, Inner Sunset, Ocean View, and Noe Valley are the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco, California. These neighborhoods rank highest when it comes to safety and livability, with between 80-86% higher safety ratings than all of San Francisco. This city’s other safe neighborhoods include Outer Richmond, Seacliff, and Presidio Heights.

Regardless of who you are or where you’re moving to, how safe the area you are settling in should be at the top of your priority list, especially if you have little ones. While the crime rates in San Francisco are significantly higher than national averages, this does not mean that there aren’t safe neighborhoods throughout the city.

Related Guide: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In San Francisco?

With the influx of Silicon Valley businesses setting up shop near San Francisco, the cost of living in the city has skyrocketed and resulted in gentrification, adding to the already substantial homeless population. Other issues, such as drug and theft-related crime, have also become more prevalent in the city. Just like any other major city, the most violent crimes occur in pockets, and these areas are best avoided.

Although crime rates appear to be dropping, crime still remains a concern for residents and visitors to the city. As of 2020, violent crimes in the city are 82% higher than the national average, and property crime is 152% higher.

Situated in the far west end of San Francisco, Outer Sunset is the farthest neighborhood from the city center. Though the area has an exceptionally low crime rate, it tends to get a bad rap for the lengthy transportation trips to go to and from the area and heavy fog. However, Outer Sunset might be the closest thing to true suburban living while still being within the city’s borders, as it is a far cry from the rapid pace of San Francisco.

Outer Sunset ranks 70% better in livability than other areas in San Francisco. This neighborhood is also 86% safer than other San Francisco neighborhoods. According to statistics, the median purchase price of homes in the area is $5833,912, with the average rent being $1,619.

Living in Outer Sunset offers the best of both worlds – being a resident of a busy metropolitan area and enjoying the peace and calm of near suburban life.

Located at the southernmost edge of San Francisco, Crocker Amazon borders the Excelsior District. It covers the area south of Geneva Avenue and Mission Street, spreading toward suburban Daly City. Pizza shops, bars, a barbershop, optometrist, essential retailers, and other takeout restaurants are situated around the intersection and center point of this neighborhood. This is where most of the commercial activity takes place.

Crocker Amazon is 61 percent more livable than nearby San Francisco neighborhoods. In addition, this neighborhood is 85% safer than the rest of San Francisco. According to figures, the median purchase price of a property in the area is $625,375, with an average rent of $1,322.

With a total crime rate that is 49% lower than the national average and 79% lower than the San Francisco average, Crocker Amazon is considered the safest neighborhood in the city. Violent crimes per 100K come in at 280, while property crime is 1,025 for 2020.

The Inner Sunset neighborhood lies just south of Golden Gate Park. It is the twin of Inner Richmond, the community that borders the park on the northern side. While both neighborhoods are hotspots for independent small businesses, the restaurant scene in Inner Sunset is considered superior, especially among sushi lovers.

Inner Sunset is also known for having foggier weather, and some even consider it to be the foggiest community in San Francisco. This neighborhood is very walkable and offers easy access to the light rail and buses, making it a relatively easy commute into the city. It is primarily residential with small lots of row homes and tract houses, Victorian- and Edwardian-style houses, and small-to-medium sized newer apartment complexes.

In terms of livability, Inner Sunset exceeds other San Francisco neighborhoods by 63 percent. This neighborhood is 81% safer than other San Francisco neighborhoods. According to statistics, the median purchase price of a home in the neighborhood is $1,007,320, and the average rent is $1,767.

Located in the southern portion of San Francisco, Oceanview is more economically and ethnically diverse than the city as a whole. This is likely due in part to the area’s recent gentrification in the past decade. What was once a predominately African-American community now contains a majority Asian population.

Crime has since been on a steady decline since the tech boom and revitalization efforts by the city. Ocean Avenue is the commercial center of Oceanview and offers many casual restaurants, cafes, and big-box retailers. Although the area doesn’t offer much in the way of parkland, young families are flocking to Oceanview for the relatively cheaper real estate.

Oceanview outperforms other San Francisco neighborhoods in terms of livability by 40 percent. In comparison to other San Francisco neighborhoods, this one is 80 percent safer. According to figures, the median purchase price of a property in the area is $678,568, and the average rent is $1,462.

Though Noe Valley is located in the central part of San Francisco, it offers a small-town atmosphere. It is bordered by hills, which lends to its intimate feel. As a result, this community is considered a very coveted and pricey neighborhood.

24th Street, Noe Valley’s main thoroughfare, is flooded with yoga studios, artisanal goods shops, and a Whole Foods that is the biggest grocery in the area.

Noe Valley has an 85% livability advantage over other San Fran neighborhoods. This neighborhood is 80 percent safer than similar areas in the city. According to statistics, the median price of a home in the community is $1,219,717, with an average rent of $2,076.

The Richmond District extends across the western edge of San Francisco. It is situated between Golden Gate Park on the south and the Presidio to the north. The entire district is broken up into two sections – Inner Richmond and Outer Richmond, the latter of which is beachier and more remote.

Residents of Outer Richmond enjoy exploring the many nearby attractions, including China Beach, the Sutro Baths, Sea Cliff, the Legion of Honor, and Baker Beach. Housing in Outer Richmond is a blend of large apartment complexes, bungalows, single-family homes, and Victorian and Edwardian houses. In general, homes and commercial properties tend to have a cozier feel and be more affordable than other parts of San Francisco.

Outer Richmond has a 79 percent livability advantage over other San Fran neighborhoods. This neighborhood is 79 percent safer than other areas in the city. According to statistics, the median price of a home in the neighborhood is $1,024,713, with an average rent of $1,700.

Sometimes also spelled “Sea Cliff,” this affluent neighborhood is located in the northwestern portion of San Francisco. Known for its ocean views and large homes, Sea Cliff is one of eight master-planned residence parks in the city. Houses are exceptionally large, and many offer views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the Pacific Ocean.

As a result, this community is/was home to many famous individuals, including Sharon Stone, Robin Williams, Jack Dorsey (founder of Twitter), Donald Fisher (founder of Gap), and the consul generals of South Korea, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. Many describe this neighborhood as a hidden gem with easy access to restaurants and local attractions.

Seacliff is 69 percent more livable than nearby San Fran neighborhoods. In addition, this neighborhood is 72% safer than the rest of the cities in California. According to figures, the median purchase price of a property in the area is $609,200, with an average rent of $1,621.

Closing out our list is Excelsior, which shares its name with the name of the surrounding area: The Excelsior District. This district also includes the Crocker Amazon, Portola, and Mission Terrance neighborhoods. Excelsior is home to predominantly low-income and middle-class residents, among the few left in the city.

Although it isn’t known for impressive mansions, fine dining, or high-end shopping, this area offers plenty for families. The neighborhood curves around the second largest park in San Francisco, McClaren Park, and the weather is some of the best in the city. Residents enjoy McClaren Park for its tennis courts, hiking trails, a small lake, a golf course, playgrounds, and more.

Excelsior outperforms other San Fran neighborhoods in terms of livability by 19 percent. In comparison to other California cities, this one is 63 percent safer. According to figures, the median purchase price of a property in the area is $646,360, and the average rent is $1,511.

Pacific Heights is one of the best communities in terms of quality of life. It is situated at the height of 380 feet in the city’s core district. With breathtaking views of the ocean, bridge, island, and Presidio, it’s no surprise that this neighborhood is known as “Gold Coast” — one of the most expensive locations in the United States, favored primarily by millionaires.

At the same time, there are less expensive regions to live in, such as the Western Addition. On the other hand, this district is always labeled as stylish, elite, and the most costly. There are high-end restaurants and stores that not everyone can afford, as well as various schools for boys exclusively, including a Waldorf school.

Pacific Heights ranks 89% better in livability than other areas in San Fran. This neighborhood is also 59% safer than other San Francisco neighborhoods. According to statistics, the median purchase price of homes in the area is $1,550,042, with the average rent being $2,234.

Do you fantasize about living in the upper class and not owning a car? It’s a reality in Nob Hill, which has the city’s third-best walkability, transit, and bike rankings. It is the wealthiest district in the country, with a plethora of high-end shopping and dining options.

Lower Nob Hill has a 36 percent livability advantage over other San Francisco neighborhoods. This neighborhood is 44 percent safer than similar areas in San Fran. According to statistics, the median price of a home in the neighborhood is $792,008, with an average rent of $2,090.

Marina is a desirable place to live because of its central position and large population of non-criminal individuals. This area, which is located on the coastal coast, got its name from the municipal boat marina that is located there.

The Palace of Fine Arts is the area’s most famous attraction, while Chestnut Street is a popular shopping, dining, and nightlife destination.

Marina has a 77 percent livability advantage over other San Francisco neighborhoods. This neighborhood is 42 percent safer than nearby areas. According to statistics, the median price of a home in the neighborhood is $1,454,491, with an average rent of $2,140.

The Financial District serves as the central business district in San Francisco. This neighborhood is home to roughly 6,974 residents, as well as the city’s largest concentration of law firms, insurance companies, corporate headquarters, savings and loan banks, real estate firms, and other financial institutions. Additionally, all six Fortune 500 companies located in San Fran are situated in the Financial District.

This district ranks 33% better in livability than other areas in San Francisco. This neighborhood is also 40% safer than other neighborhoods. According to statistics, the median purchase price of homes in the area is $654,150, with the average rent being $1,643.

Known as San Francisco’s “Little Italy,” the North Beach neighborhood is rich with history. It also contains one of the oldest streets in the city: Grant Avenue. North Beach is located in the northeast corner of San Francisco and has historically been home to a large Italian American population, primarily from Northern Italy.

This area has become one of San Francisco’s main nightlife hubs, in addition to a residential neighborhood of a blend of young professionals, Chinese immigrants, and families. North Beach has also been named one of the ten “Great Neighborhoods in America” by the American Planning Association (APA).

North Beach exceeds other San Francisco neighborhoods by 37 percent in terms of livability. This neighborhood is 35 percent safer than others in this city. According to data, the median purchase price of a home in the area is $930,373, and the average rent is $1,755.

Based on our calculations, North Beach is the seventh safest neighborhood in San Francisco. However, it should be noted that although the total crime rate is only 3% lower than the national average, it is 60% lower than the city average.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the world’s largest Chinese settlement outside of Asia. It has its own set of customs and traditions, which were inspired by the immigrants who arrived after the city was founded.

Only main highways have traffic because the area has all of the basic utilities and tiny streets. Moreover, it attracts tens of thousands of tourists who explore the area on foot.

In terms of livability, Chinatown exceeds other San Francisco neighborhoods by 48 percent. This neighborhood is 34% safer than other San Francisco neighborhoods. According to statistics, the median purchase price of a home in the neighborhood is $550,736, and the average rent is $848.