San FranciscovsSeattle
Both San Francisco and Seattle are incredible destinations. San Francisco excels in Golden Gate Bridge and tech, while Seattle stands out for coffee and grunge music.
At a glance
| San Francisco | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (mid-range) | €267 | €243 |
| Hotel per night (mid-range) | €170 | €160 |
| Best months | Apr, Sep, Oct | Jun, Jul, Aug |
| Summer / winter | 21°C / 12°C | 22°C / 6°C |
| Language | English | English |
| Currency | US Dollar ($) | US Dollar ($) |
How they compare
- Culture & HistorySan FranciscoSeattle
- Food & DiningSan FranciscoSeattle
- NightlifeSan FranciscoSeattle
Top tours and experiences in San Francisco
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
4.34,622 reviews8h
from €150
Check availability
Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
4.94,202 reviews14h
from €217
Check availability
Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco w Pickup
4.43,628 reviews15h
from €183
Check availabilityAll things to do in San Francisco →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Top tours and experiences in Seattle
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
All things to do in Seattle →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Is San Francisco or Seattle cheaper?
For a mid-range traveller, Seattle is about 9% cheaper per day than San Francisco.
| Mid-range | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €170 | €160 |
| Food and drinks (per day) | €65 | €55 |
| Sightseeing and activities (per day) | €32 | €28 |
| Total per day | €267 | €243 |
Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport.
San Francisco or Seattle: weather by month
Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall, from weather-station records.
| Month | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C / 9°C94 mmFairFair | 9°C / 3°C114 mmColdCold |
| February | 16°C / 9°C89 mmFairFair | 10°C / 3°C79 mmColdCold |
| March | 16°C / 9°C86 mmFairFair | 12°C / 4°C93 mmWetWet |
| April | 17°C / 10°C38 mmGoodGood | 15°C / 6°C63 mmFairFair |
| May | 18°C / 11°C12 mmGoodGood | 19°C / 10°C41 mmGoodGood |
| June | 19°C / 12°C4 mmGoodGood | 22°C / 13°C28 mmGreatGreat |
| July | 19°C / 13°C1 mmGoodGood | 26°C / 15°C7 mmGreatGreat |
| August | 20°C / 13°C0 mmGoodGood | 25°C / 15°C14 mmGreatGreat |
| September | 21°C / 14°C3 mmGreatGreat | 22°C / 13°C40 mmGreatGreat |
| October | 21°C / 13°C29 mmGreatGreat | 16°C / 8°C84 mmFairFair |
| November | 18°C / 11°C55 mmGoodGood | 12°C / 5°C137 mmColdCold |
| December | 14°C / 9°C119 mmFairFair | 9°C / 3°C128 mmColdCold |
GreatGoodHotColdWetFair
Travelling between San Francisco and Seattle
Planning to visit both? Compare the train, bus and flight options between the two cities.
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Top Attractions in San Francisco
- 1Golden Gate Bridge
- 2Alcatraz Island
- 3Fisherman's Wharf
- 4Cable Cars
- 5Painted Ladies
- 6Chinatown
Top Attractions in Seattle
- 1Pike Place Market
- 2Space Needle
- 3Museum of Pop Culture
- 4Chihuly Garden
- 5Seattle Waterfront
- 6Capitol Hill
San Francisco is Popular With
tech enthusiasts
foodies
culture lovers
LGBTQ+ travelers
Seattle is Popular With
coffee lovers
tech enthusiasts
nature lovers
foodies
Hidden Gems
Discover lesser-known attractions in each city
Hidden Gems in San Francisco
- 1
The Wave Organ
An acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in the Marina District.
- 2
Seward Street Slides
Two long, concrete slides built into a hillside in the Castro District.
Hidden Gems in Seattle
- 1
Kubota Garden
A stunning 20-acre Japanese garden in the Rainier Beach neighborhood, created by landscaper Fujitaro Kubota.
- 2
The Center for Wooden Boats on South Lake Union
A hands-on maritime museum where you can rent vintage sailboats, rowboats, or take free sailing lessons on Sundays.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Discover the best areas to visit in each city
Top Areas in San Francisco
The Mission
Once a working-class Latino neighborhood, the Mission is now a dynamic fusion of historic culture and trendy innovation.
North Beach
San Francisco's 'Little Italy' pulses with a warm, old-world energy.
Top Areas in Seattle
Capitol Hill
The historic heart of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community and counterculture, Capitol Hill is a vibrant, walkable district known for its nightlife, eclectic dining, and activist spirit.
Ballard
Once a separate Scandinavian fishing town, Ballard retains a distinct, maritime-meets-hipster vibe.
Budget Comparison
Compare the cost of traveling in each city
Budget in San Francisco
Daily Budget$250-400 per person for mid-range (moderate hotel, casual sit-down meals, some paid attractions, occasional taxi)
Cost Level
budget
Budget in Seattle
Daily Budget$150-250 per person for a hotel/Airbnb, casual sit-down meals, some paid attractions, and occasional rideshares.
Cost Level
budget
Where to stay in San Francisco
Hotels close to the centre of San Francisco, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Mid-range
Mid-range
Upscale
UpscaleHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay in Seattle
Hotels close to the centre of Seattle, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Mid-range
Mid-range
Upscale
UpscaleHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
Compare transport options to both destinations
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