Miami - FL vs San Francisco - CA: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

San Francisco - CA is roughly 135% more expensive than Miami - FL in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Miami - FL (52 days vs 16), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Miami vs San Francisco: what the numbers say

At today's 7.32% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $2,620 a month in principal and interest in Miami and $6,157 in San Francisco, a gap of $3,537 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,654 in Miami and $3,445 in San Francisco, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.0 times rent in Miami and 1.8 times rent in San Francisco, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 15.0 years of rent in Miami and 27.1 in San Francisco; the lower ratio in Miami means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -4.4% in Miami and -0.6% in San Francisco; over just the last three months the change was +0.7% in Miami and +1.4% in San Francisco.

Homes sell for 95.7% of list price in Miami and 106.1% in San Francisco, after 52 and 16 days on the market, with price cuts on 19% and 21% of listings. The signs are mixed: Miami has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while San Francisco has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is down 14% on a year ago in Miami and down 13% on a year ago in San Francisco.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-22), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.