Seattle might be the next San Francisco - here's how the two major tech hubs compare

Seattle's housing costs are on the rise, but they're not expected to supersede San Francisco's pricey housing anytime soon.

Average monthly rent for a one bedroom in Seattle will run you around $1,300, as opposed to San Francisco's estimated $2,000 for a bedroom in a house with roommates. And don't expect to purchase property in either city: Both of these coastal tech meccas have very little real estate on the market. While it doesn't look like Seattle's housing costs will eclipse San Francisco's anytime in the near future, the city's housing market is skyrocketing.

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.

Rain falls nearly 152 days out of the year in Seattle, which means you'll be carrying an umbrella about half the time you're out.

Both 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.

The city by the Bay boasts more restaurants per capita than any other city in the US, which means there's an unending selection of farm-to-table offerings available.

Seattle 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.

San 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.

The costly housing market has priced out a big portion of the city's population. In some cases, even people with jobs can go without housing and it's felt by many that the city's homelessness problem is only getting worse.

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.

The city offers an underground rail system as well as regular bus routes. It's been rated as the second-best city for public transport in the United States by the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies.

While 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.

The University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies rates Seattle as the eighth-best city for public transport in the US, just below Philadelphia.

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.