Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026

Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley side by side

Metric● Phoenix, AZ● San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley
Alpha Score3519
Price Momentum1128
Inventory Health81band 5 of 518band 5 of 5
Affordability142
Economic Strength2742
Rental Yield271
Median Sale Price (Redfin)$459K—
Months of Supply (Redfin)5—

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 14/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 2/100.
  • Price Momentum: San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley leads — Phoenix, AZ 11/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 28/100.
  • Inventory Health: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 81/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 18/100.
  • Economic Strength: San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley leads — Phoenix, AZ 27/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 42/100.
  • Rental Yield: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 27/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 1/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Phoenix, AZ or San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley?

Phoenix, AZ scores higher — 35 vs 19 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Phoenix, AZ or San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley more affordable?

Phoenix, AZ is more affordable on our affordability dimension.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Phoenix, AZ or San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley?

San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley has stronger price momentum — 28/100 vs 11/100.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Phoenix, AZ market brief and the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley brief.