Introduction
Comparing and contrasting New York City (Manhattan), Chicago, and San Francisco. These three cities have much in common, but there are many aspects of them that make them unique. In this video I discuss the downtowns, walkability, nightlife, crime, cost of living, and more.
Videos on the individual cities:
New York: www.youtube.com/watch
Chicago: www.youtube.com/watch
San Francisco: www.youtube.com/watch
Album displayed: Viagra Boys - "Cave World" (2022)
Video
How Dy it's Kyle talking about New, York, Chicago and San, Francisco I've been able to visit each of these three cities over the past six months.
And in this video I want to compare and contrast some of the things about them.
This video will be less structured and will be more just free form talking like this as I've already posted videos individually on these cities.
So I will leave links in the description to those videos.
But these three cities are often lumped together and are often compared to each other, but there are many similarities.
But there are also many differences as well for New York I'm only going to be discussing Manhattan, which is New York County as well as the city of Chicago and the city of San Francisco.
So not the Metro areas and for New York, not the other four boroughs between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, each of these three cities and the entire metropolitan area for the three were gaining population.
But since the pandemic, all three cities as well as the entire metropolitan area for all three have been losing population, Chicago hasn't been losing as much in terms of percentage-wise, but New York and San Francisco have both lost about four to five percent of its population over the past couple of years.
First I want to compare the downtowns of the three cities.
And of the three I would say, Chicago has the best downtown there's, just more activity.
It's just more interesting at all times of the day, New York and San Francisco's downtowns are Financial districts for a lot of suits and high heels during the day.
But after business hours, it tends to be a little bit quieter.
But in Chicago downtown is the Heart of the City in terms of not just business, but also activity.
So you can be out there 7, 10 at night, doesn't matter, there's always going to be people downtown Chicago, where again, it can be kind of quiet in the financial districts of New York and San Francisco.
Each of these three cities has a lot of great neighborhoods and for New York and San Francisco, especially you can easily get around between them just by walking.
You can cover a lot of ground on foot in those two because it's just so densely packed streets are narrow.
And you can Traverse a lot of distance over a short period of time on Foot Chicago is also really good for walking, but often to get from one neighborhood to another.
If you were to walk, it might be kind of boring might be some residential neighborhoods or some Warehouse areas kind of stuff.
But you might want to hop on a bus or a train to go for a few stops as opposed to walking between them, New, York and San, Francisco, there's, never anything uninteresting between two stops.
You might be walking to.
And so you might take the train or a bus, but mainly just to make up time, not because you're trying to avoid places in between because they're just not very interesting.
And with that you can get by in San Francisco or New York without having a car at all.
If you were to live in Chicago, you probably have to have a car for some things, but you can legitimately do all of the things you need to do in New York and San Francisco without having a car for city parks.
They each have one huge one and a handful of smaller ones for New York and San, Francisco, it's, Central, Park and Golden Gate Park.
And these are almost perfectly rectangular, Urban Parks, right in the middle of the city, where it's it's a huge area, a lot of wooded spots and other things going on in the park for Chicago it's Grant Park, which follows the Lake Michigan Shoreline, it's, really long and skinny doesn't have quite the same Wilderness parts or wooded areas.
It did a very nice open green space, but I think Central Park and Golden Gate Park are much more like a destination.
You're gonna you can spend the entire day there.
You can go on Small hikes.
You can go birding.
You can do all kinds of stuff there New York or excuse me, Chicago's along the Lakeshore has an amusement park and museums and the football stadium and stuff.
But it's, not quite as Parky I.
Guess, you could say as Central Park or Golden, Gate Park, but Chicago does have a larger number of smaller Parks all throughout the City Manhattan and San Francisco.
Go have a lot of small Corner Parks, but Chicago has many more neighborhood larger Parks.
So you don't have quite the big wooded type thing like Central, Park or Golden Gate.
But you do have a larger number of smaller Parks throughout the neighborhoods.
Nightlife is also different between these three cities San Francisco has never really had a single part of town where everybody's kind of came to to party kind of like Broadway and Nashville or 6th Street in Austin there's, always this kind of a large number of smaller areas where there's a cluster of of restaurants and bars and stuff New York is fairly similar Greenwich Village and Soho area has a large cluster of it right there.
But because Manhattan is so much bigger there's also a bunch of little smaller areas, but like I was saying at the beginning for New York and San, Francisco it's, not downtown in Chicago.
You have a lot more fun stuff going on downtown.
So people might be working there during the day, but might stay there for the night because yeah, a lot of the cool nightlife.
A lot of the live music clubs are right downtown.
So a little more of activity in the center of the city for Chicago.
And there are a couple of, you know, other little clusters throughout the city of Chicago in terms of nightlife districts, but not quite the same as San Francisco or New York.
Next I want to talk about the cost of living.
And we've all heard a million times just how expensive Manhattan and San Francisco are.
But how many times have you heard that about Chicago, probably not at all, because it isn't that expensive housing costs and rents are very reasonable and Chicago is one of the more affordable large cities in the U.S San Francisco and Manhattan are literally the two most expensive cities in the US, maybe Honolulu right there with them, but there's, a quite a big difference in terms of the overall cost of living between the three for Crime.
Each of these three cities are often talked about in the media for different reasons, but a type of crime that is the worst.
And each of the three is different.
So in Chicago it's, most normally associated with the worst crime being gang, violence like gang on gang, drug wars and it's, more personal type, crime, it's almost like I know, this guy, I know, these gangs we're going to take them out it's, just a it's, almost like a personal War.
San Francisco is almost more opportunistic kind of stuff.
A lot more car break-ins.
You've seen the videos of the bum rush shoplifting things.
And you get that kind of stuff in San Francisco, but it's, one of the safest cities in terms of violent crime.
You don't hear about big, massive shootings in San Francisco.
You do have gangs there, but nothing like Chicago, or some of the Cities you're going to get in other parts of the country, New York, just being just Manhattan, just being this big island of this cross streets and there's people everywhere this.
You have a lot more stuff kind of like San, Francisco more opportunistic, kind of stuff.
Break-Ins pickpocketing, but not as much violent crime there.
So I think with New York, you've heard a lot of stuff in the media like, oh, the crime is out of control it's gone up so much.
Well, prior to the pandemic I believe New York was actually the safest city in the country in terms of crime rate.
So it has gone up in the past few years, but it's still well below what we normally consider the highest crime rate cities in the country, such as St Louis, Baltimore or Detroit.
You've probably heard of Manhattan being referred to as the city that never sleeps and that's.
One thing that really separates it from San Francisco and Chicago and really anywhere else in the U.S I was in my hotel room.
It was like three in the morning.
My phone's about to die and I was like great.
I forgot my phone charger.
And you know, even in New York there's, not going to be anything that's open 24 hours selling, you know, electronic stuff.
So I was like, well, maybe let's try maybe just go out for a quick Oaxaca I had to walk no more than 100 yards to find a 24-hour electronic store that had power bricks and chargers and cores and everything you might possibly need.
And then on the way back to the hotel like grabbed a piece of pizza.
So that's one thing that's interesting about New York is any time of the day there's, a bunch of people there I was out in Greenwich Village till four in the morning, and it was still busy so the southern half of Manhattan and the Las Vegas Strip are really the only two places in America where it's perfectly acceptable to be out at 4am because that's kind of a weird time of the night.
If you think about it because most places the bars are closed for the bars and kitchen staff it.
They've gone home.
The people that wake up first thing in the morning they go for a jog, usually aren't up at four in the morning.
So that's kind of a weird time to be out.
So if you're anywhere in the U.S other than the southern half of Manhattan, or the Las Vegas, Strip and you're out at 4 AM, you're, probably up to something now I want to talk about that uniqueness of Manhattan and San Francisco and I know, the grammar police hates it when you put a qualifier on unique, but I'm going to do it.
Anyway, these two are the most unique cities in the country, because there are more aspects of them that make them unique than any other and I do love Chicago.
But it does fall within that same kind of urban structure Urban systems that most other American cities follow.
So whether it be Seattle or Miami or San Diego or Denver or Charlotte, or whatever they all kind of follow the same general ways of doing things.
Of course, the climate and culture are going to be different.
But the overall Urban structure Urban systems are about the same, but in San Francisco and Manhattan it's, a totally different Urban structure, Urban system.
And the way you go about your day-to-day life is going to be a little bit different.
What you go about in other cities so it's, not like if you move from say, Houston to Cleveland you're going to be like, oh, my God.
This is so different I can't figure out how to get around this city it's just a whole different way of life, but I mean, in Manhattan, or in San Francisco, you actually would have to adjust the way you live, or if you're coming from those two moving somewhere else.
You were like.
Wow.
This is a totally different way of doing things.
And ultimately I think, that's, what makes Manhattan and San Francisco so expensive because there's a small piece of land.
But a lot of people want to live there.
So San Francisco, you can maybe fit 900 000 people there at the most.
And there might be three million that want to live.
There, that's a small part of the U.S population, but way more where they can fit there.
So the supply can't meet demand, the same with Manhattan I'm, sure they're 5 million or so that would love to live in Manhattan just there's just no room for them.
So you have a limited space.
More people that want to live there that can fit and it's going to be really expensive with supply and demand.
So which of these three cities is my favorite I, really like all three of them I would love to spend an extended period of time in Manhattan like maybe a month or so, but I couldn't live there I need more space than what you can get there.
I think it would drive me crazy after a while kind of like San, Francisco I would need a little more space in that I don't need 10 acres on land.
At least this much space between my house and the next one.
So I could play music really loud.
But if it weren't for the really cold Winters in Chicago I, would consider that a place to live I mean, I, really like the city, I think it's very livable.
But I mean, those Winters are awful I'm not putting up with that.
But if you can handle winters like that, I think the Chicago is a great city to live and I think San, Francisco and New York are great cities to live with the asterisk.
If you want that kind of Lifestyle, but for a normal type, American lifestyle, City lifestyle, Chicago is I think one of the better options for a city in that size range, or just, you know, any big city at all.
So those are some of the things I've wanted to highlight about these three cities.
And these are probably the three most hated cities in the country, even though they do a disproportionate amount of the economic heavy lifting in the country, but they don't usually get a fair Shake in the media, usually it's, just the crime and the homelessness and the cost of living you're going to hear about.
But these really are three great cities, and you should definitely check them out I.
Hope you enjoyed this video.
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FAQs
What is the comparison of NYC and Chicago? ›
While New York is more fast-paced and diverse, Chicago is more laid back and is well known for its contributions to the arts. New York's culinary scene is world-famous, with more than 70 Michelin star restaurants and food from nearly every culture on the planet.
Is New York City better than San Francisco? ›New York is cheaper for rent, has a professional culture, and lower crime rates, while San Francisco has a more laid-back lifestyle, a higher quality of life, and better weather. Public transportation, commute times, and overall costs of living are comparable, with individual preferences determining the best choice.
How does the cost of living compare between New York and San Francisco? ›You would need around 8,973.1$ in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 9,500.0$ in New York, NY (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare the cost of living and assume net earnings (after income tax).
Which city is better Chicago or San Francisco? ›Both Chicago and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than Chicago. The ideal length of time for a trip to Chicago is 3-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to San Francisco is 3-7 days.
What is the cost of living comparison between New York and Chicago? ›The cost of living in Chicago, IL is -36.5% lower than in New York, NY. You would have to earn a salary of $38,098 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in Chicago, IL typically pay -10.2% less than employers in New York, NY.
How is NYC different from other cities? ›New York City has, alongside London, been described as the cultural capital of the world. The culture of New York is reflected in its size and ethnic diversity. As many as 800 languages are spoken in New York, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world.
Is San Francisco the most beautiful city in America? ›Set along the ocean, with rolling hills and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and the jewel of Northern California. It also ranks in seventh place, with an average of 1,039 pictures per square mile.
Which city is dirtier San Francisco or New York? ›Despite how dirty San Francisco may seem to many residents New York took the cake as No. 1 in dirtiness, litter and pests index. New York scored a total of 427.9 in dirtiness, 904.2 in litter and 2,275 in pests.
Why San Francisco is the best city to live in? ›- The beautiful scenery.
- The mild weather.
- Active and outdoor opportunities.
- Being an innovation and technology hub.
- The delicious food scene.
- Limited outdoor space in some areas.
- Sky-high housing prices.
- Steep hills and challenging topography.
Job opportunities + median household income
Sit at a cafe in San Francisco long enough and you're bound to notice that 80% of the conversations are tech-centered (be it work projects or a startup idea, etc.). But tech pays well. In fact, on average, salaries in San Francisco pay 3.9% more than in New York City.
Where is better to live California or New York? ›
LA has a stable and more comfortable climate, an affordable transport system, and a lower cost of living. Meanwhile, there are better job opportunities and a higher safety index in NYC, although with a higher cost of living. With these factors in mind, we can say that LA is better than New York City.
Is it more expensive to live in San Francisco or Chicago? ›The cost of living in San Francisco, CA is 65.9% higher than in Chicago, IL. You would have to earn a salary of $99,564 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in San Francisco, CA typically pay 18.5% more than employeers in Chicago, IL.
Why is Chicago the 2nd best city? ›According to the 2022 Time Out index, more than 20,000 city-dwellers ranked Chicago as the No. 2 city in the world based on nightlife, food and drink, arts and culture, along with affordability, walkability, public transportation and more.
Is Chicago the prettiest city? ›If "beautiful" is near the top of the list, you're in good company: Chicago was just ranked the second most beautiful city in the world (and the first in North America) by 27,000 Time Out Index survey voters from across the globe.
Is Chicago the best big city to live in? ›Lightfoot and Choose Chicago today announced that Chicago has been named the Best Big City in the U.S. for the sixth straight year by Condé Nast Traveler through their 2022 Readers' Choice Awards.
Is Living in California or New York more expensive? ›Which City Is More Affordable: Los Angeles or New York City? Both NYC and LA are among the most expensive cities in both the U.S. and the world. However, the average cost of living in LA is also 24-27% lower than that of NYC.
Is $90,000 a good salary in Chicago? ›There is a wide range of housing availability (cost, size, type of neighborhood, etc) and you could own a car or choose not to own one, since the public transportation system is very good. Chicago is more expensive than living in Michigan, but $90,000 is a good salary.
Is New York now the most expensive place to live? ›New York overtakes Hong Kong as the most expensive city in the world for expats, new survey shows. Hong Kong has ended its four-year reign as the most expensive city globally for expatriates, according to a survey — as New York surpasses it to first place.
What makes New York City so special? ›People of every nationality live in New York. In fact, more than 600 languages are spoken in New York, making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. The city's diversity can be witnessed in its food, art, music, culture, and neighborhoods.
What is unique about New York City? ›Vibrant and exciting, New York City is known for being a cosmopolitan destination filled with towering skyscrapers, award-winning restaurants, and world-famous attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building.
Why is NYC so special? ›
The place is brimming with incredible dining spots, shopping opportunities, and a vibrant culture and art scene. Some of these attractions can be found in other big cities in the world, but New York is still second to none!
What is the #1 most beautiful city in America? ›- Charming Charleston. Small and intimate, but with the offerings and sensibilities of a much larger city, it comes as no surprise that South Carolina's Charleston tops our list of the most beautiful cities in the USA. ...
- Scenic San Francisco. ...
- Splendid San Antonio. ...
- Nautical Newport.
- Honolulu, Hawaii. ...
- Newport, Rhode Island. ...
- New Orleans, Louisiana. ...
- Chattanooga, Tennessee. ...
- Asheville, North Carolina.
1. New York City. Why we love it: New York City has (once again) taken the top spot in Resonance's annual rankings.
What is America's cleanest city? ›Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu tops the most lists as the cleanest city in the United States.
Just like New York, Tokyo has a distinct energy that can be felt as soon as you step foot in the city. It boasts an impressive skyline, with towering skyscrapers, and is home to some of the world's most renowned restaurants, museums, and art galleries.
What is the cleanest city in New York? ›- Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf is one of the safest and best neighborhoods in San Francisco because of its proximity to the waterfront and some great tourist attractions nearby. ...
- Chinatown. ...
- North Beach. ...
- Russian Hill. ...
- Pacific Heights. ...
- Marina District. ...
- Nob Hill. ...
- Downtown.
San Francisco is famous for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, buzzing neighborhoods such as Chinatown, and its many museums and historic architecture. What is this? The city is also known for being a liberal place, boasting a strong gay community.
Where do the rich live in San Francisco? ›Presidio Heights
The richest neighborhood in San Francisco is Presidio Heights. This affluent neighborhood is known for its quiet streets that are lined with rows of impressive mansions.
Is rent in San Francisco higher than New York? ›
San Francisco Bay Area more expensive than New York for renters, new report finds. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Bay Area is the most expensive place to live in America for renters, even topping the New York metropolitan area, according to a new report released by affordable housing advocates on Thursday.
Is New York richer than California? ›Overall, in the calendar year 2022, the United States' Nominal GDP at Current Prices totaled at $25.463 Trillion, as compared to $23.315 Trillion in 2021. The three U.S. states with the highest GDPs were California ($3.6 Trillion), Texas ($2.356 Trillion), and New York ($2.053 Trillion).
What salary is rich in San Francisco? ›| Rank | City | Mean Income of Top 20% |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $442,934 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $353,350 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $353,292 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $346,862 |
Stunning Scenery. One of the things that makes California unique is its gorgeous scenery. Californians get to look at miles of beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, towering cliffs, and the rolling hills of wine country. This incredible landscape is more than enough to impress new residents moving from New York City.
Are taxes higher in NYC or California? ›Californians only pay a marginal tax rate of 4% on earnings between $23,943 and 37,788. In New York, earnings between $13,901 and $80,650 incur a 5.5% marginal tax. But in case you're wondering, California eventually has the highest state tax rate in the country, with 13.30% charged on any income over $1 million.
Is it worth it to move to New York? ›Depending on your lifestyle preferences and budgetary limitations (or lack thereof), you may find that it's still worth it to live in a city with a higher cost of living. Some reasons: Better job opportunities, broader range of public and private schools or easier public transportation systems.
Is it a good idea to live in San Francisco? ›Generally, San Francisco is considered among the best cities for Millennials and Gen Z's to live in, as the median age of people living there is 38.2 years. There are many great work opportunities, events for socialization and a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in the city that will leave you feeling inspired!
How much money do I need to live comfortably in San Francisco? ›Using the MIT Cost of Living Calculator, SmartAsset found that an individual spends an average of $42,013 on annual living expenses in the San Francisco area. A person following the 50/30/20 budget would set aside $25,208 for discretionary spending and $16,805 for savings or debt payments.
Is 50k good in Chicago? ›A good salary in Chicago, IL is anything over $50,000. That's because the median income in Chicago is $50,000, which means if you earn more than that you're earning more than 50% of the people living in Chicago. The average salary in Chicago is $60,132. A good hourly wage in Chicago is $24.04 per hour.
Why do people love Chicago? ›There's a reason they call Chicago “a city in a garden.” You'll find green space around every corner, from charming neighborhood parks to sandy beaches with skyline views. In the heart of the city, Millennium Park and Grant Park are home to lush gardens, cultural institutions, iconic public art, and popular events.
Are people friendly in Chicago? ›
Chicago is famous for being friendly to tourists.
Why is Chicago called White City? ›The Chicago World's Fair played a key role in the creation of the City Beautiful movement. At the core of the fair was an area that quickly became known as the White City for its buildings with white stucco siding and its streets illuminated by electric lights.
Is New York or Chicago better? ›While New York is more fast-paced and diverse, Chicago is more laid back and is well known for its contributions to the arts. New York's culinary scene is world-famous, with more than 70 Michelin star restaurants and food from nearly every culture on the planet.
What is the nicest side of Chicago? ›Lincoln Park & Old Town
Named after the largest park in Chicago, the Lincoln Park neighborhood is considered by many as one of the city's most desirable areas to live. Only a mile from downtown and right on the lakefront, this neighborhood is one of the most popular for a reason.
Sitting on the banks of beautiful Lake Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, is the third-largest city in the United States, just behind New York City and Los Angeles. Chicago is known for its jaw-dropping architecture, vibrant music scene, amazing food, — including deep-dish pizza — and iconic neighborhoods.
What is the richest city near Chicago? ›Winnetka
The richest Chicago suburb is Winnetka. This city is situated along Lake Michigan's Northern Shore, about 22 miles from Downtown Chicago.
Glencoe, located north of Chicago along Lake Michigan, ranked the highest for Illinois at just over $3 million. It has a population of 8,849, as of the 2020 Census. Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know.
Is Chicago a clean city? ›Chicago has a pretty strong national reputation for being a very clean city. Unlike New York – where trash is put on the curb – Chicago is a city of alleys, so trash and debris is placed out of view. Trash is regularly picked up and streets are regularly swept.
Which is more popular Chicago or New York? ›New York city's population is the largest in the US and one of the highest in the world. Chicago, on the other hand, is less populated and more laid-back, ideal for families.
Why is NYC warmer than Chicago? ›Chicago's climate is "continental," far from the warmth and humidity of ocean air. Interior North America loses heat in the winter, aided by extensive snow cover. New York is "modified maritime," warmed and moisturized by the Atlantic Ocean but only somewhat chilled by continental air.
What is Chicago known for? ›
Chicago is known for its jaw-dropping architecture, vibrant music scene, amazing food, — including deep-dish pizza — and iconic neighborhoods. Let's explore some of the best things that make Chicago special and unique.
How big is Chicago in comparison to other US cities? ›Welcome to Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, with a population of nearly three million people.
Is New York dirtier than Chicago? ›Chicago, according to the report, has a "dirtiness index" of 220.9, compared to New York's 427.9. It received some of its highest numbers for pests and litter, with 471,000 homes showing signs of mice, rats and cockroaches in the past 12 months, according to the report.
Is New York colder or Chicago? ›It's a common misconception that New York City is as cold as Chicago. Actually, one of the benefits of living in NYC is its winters are actually pretty mild and usually 10 degrees warmer than Chicago! Year-round, New York City has more mild weather than Chicago, especially in the summer and winter.
Why is New York one of the best cities? ›Today, New York City is a center for the best financial, legal, technological, medical and scientific minds in the world. It's home to some of the finest educational institutions in the country, such as Columbia University and New York University.
Is NYC or Chicago safer? ›One of the biggest factors that contribute to the difference in safety between New York and Chicago is the crime rate. Simply put, the crime rate in New York is much lower than the crime rate in Chicago. In fact, according to FBI data, the violent crime rate in New York City is less than half of what it is in Chicago.
Why is New York City so popular? ›New York City is famous for many reasons like amazing culture, beautiful architecture, appetizing food and drink, festivals and gorgeous beaches.
What is the coldest city in the US? ›1. Fairbanks, Alaska. With a minimum average temperature of about minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit, Fairbanks takes the cake as the coldest city in the U.S. The northernmost major city in Alaska, Fairbanks has seen record cold temperatures reaching minus 66 degrees in the past.
Why is Chicago such a beautiful city? ›Chicago doesn't ordinarily get a lot of attention for its beauty, but the ranking makes sense when you consider our abundance of public parkland, stunning architecture and famously clean streets (thanks alleys!), plus our proximity to the glittering shores of Lake Michigan.
What are the top reasons to live in Chicago? ›A: Yes! There are plenty of job opportunities and the housing costs are less than many coastal cities. You also have access to all kinds of cultural activities, the food scene is thriving, and there's always something to do.
Is Chicago or Miami bigger? ›
Which city has the real edge? According to 2010 Census, Chicago has 2,695,598 residents (third largest city); Miami 399,457 (42nd).
Is Chicago a world class city? ›Momentous recognition confirms Chicago's reputation as a world-class travel destination and comes on the heels of successful summer that saw travel approaching 2019 levels.
Is Chicago or San Francisco bigger? ›San Francisco: 232 square miles
If you count the bay, San Francisco is about the same size as Chicago. Its land area, however, covers just 46.8 square miles.