It's more expensive to live in San Francisco than Seattle.
Seattle's housing costs are on the rise, but they're not expected to supersede San Francisco's pricey housing anytime soon.
Prefer a mild climate but hate the rain? Head to the Bay.
San Francisco enjoys mild temperatures year round with the thermostat usually hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
While Seattle isn't without its sunny days, expect it to rain — a lot.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdBoth cities are surrounded by water, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a beach to relax during your downtime.
San Francisco is home to several scenic beaches, but if you plan on swimming, be sure to bring a wet suit.
Seattle's top aquatic allures are its harbors, lakes, and the Puget Sound.
Seattle offers prime whale watching along the Puget Sound and plenty of opportunities for kayaking and swimming around Green Lake Park and Lake Union.
Excellent outdoor options abound in either city.
San Francisco is only a 90-minute drive from hiking destinations like Mount Diablo, and within close proximity of Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.
There's a plethora of outdoor destinations located just outside of the Seattle, as well.
There's nearby routes along the Pacific Crest Trail and hikes within Mount Rainier National Park, as well as Discovery Park's Loop Trail located within the city itself.
But when it comes to eating out, San Francisco might have Seattle beat.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdSeattle harbors its own slightly smaller, thriving food scene.
While it doesn't boast as many dining options as San Francisco, Seattle still provides plenty to choose from, falling just behind New York in the number of restaurants per capita nationwide.
When it comes to cafes, it's a tough call.
While San Francisco can't quite rival Seattle's storied coffee history, the city has an influx of coffee newcomers like Four Barrel, Sightglass, and popular pour-over darling Blue Bottle.
Starbucks' birthplace boasts a thriving coffee culture reflected in its myriad bespoke cafes.
Starbucks is only the beginning. Local shops like La Marzocco Espresso Lab, Seattle Coffee Works, and C & P Coffee Company all contribute to Seattle's diverse coffee culture.
Both cities are home to a number of unique cultural offerings.
In San Francisco, you'll find numerous museums dedicated to art and culture like the De Young museum, California Academy of Sciences, and SFMOMA.
In Seattle, you'll find a thriving indie art and music scene, as well as landmark museums like Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Pop Culture, and the Museum of Flight.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdSan Francisco is a booming tech metropolis, which means that unemployment rates are low: A survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in October 2017 reported that less than 4% of San Francisco's population is unemployed.
Amazon's headquarters have placed Seattle at the center of the west coast's tech boom and the city's tech industry is only expected to continue to grow. Seattle's unemployment rate is at 3.6%.
But San Francisco's booming tech industry is not without its drawbacks.
Seattle has struggled with issues of homelessness for years.
A 2016 survey from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that Seattle has the third-highest rate of homelessness in the country. San Francisco is ranked at number six. Crowded homeless shelters and unaffordable housing have led Seattle's homelessness crisis to be described as a civic emergency.
If you rely on public transportation for commute, San Francisco might be your best bet.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdWhile public transportation is available in Seattle with options like Link Light Rail, downtown transit, and monorail, you might not want to ditch your car altogether.
If you prefer living in an area with a proud sports history, the Bay will give you plenty of options to root for, including The Giants, 49ers, and The Warriors.
Seattle is home to the Seahawks, the Mariners, and the Sounders.