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

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026

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

Metric Phoenix, AZ San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley
Alpha Score4425
Price Momentum4150
Inventory Health343
Affordability501
Economic Strength5056
Rental Yield5019
Median Sale Price$469K
Price-to-Income8.3
Payment-to-Income51.1%
Months of Supply4
Gross Rental Yield2.6%
Overvaluation Index40

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 50/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 1/100.
  • Price Momentum: San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley leads — Phoenix, AZ 41/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 50/100.
  • Inventory Health: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 34/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 3/100.
  • Economic Strength: San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley leads — Phoenix, AZ 50/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 56/100.
  • Rental Yield: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 50/100 vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley 19/100.

Frequently asked questions

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

Phoenix, AZ scores higher — 44 vs 25 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 — 50/100 vs 41/100.

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.