San Francisco vs Washington
San Francisco and Washington are level on the CIRA Index at 71. San Francisco grades better on 8 measures, Washington on 6; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.
Scores by each organisation's criteria
- CIRA Index: San Francisco 71, Washington 71
- OECD: San Francisco 72, Washington 72
- UN Tourism: San Francisco 71, Washington 70
- UNDRR: San Francisco 69, Washington 69
Theme by theme
- Demand and seasonality: San Francisco 80, Washington 90
- Economy and jobs: San Francisco 94, Washington 92
- Climate and hazards: San Francisco 65, Washington 60
- Water and environment: San Francisco 63, Washington 56
- Community and housing: San Francisco 33, Washington 75
- Access and continuity: San Francisco 88, Washington 71
Where San Francisco is stronger
- Unemployment rate: 4.2 % of the labour force (California Employment Development Department (EDD), San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City MD Press Release, August 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
- Extreme heat days: 0.8 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
- Tropical nights: 0 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
- Wastewater safely treated: 100 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Wastewater Collection & Treatment System, 2024). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
- Municipal waste per resident: 513.8 kg per resident per year (San Francisco Planning Department / CalRecycle, Potrero Power Station Mixed-Use Project EIR / CalRecycle Jurisdiction Review, 2022). Between 450 and 550: grade 2/4.
- Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (City and County of San Francisco (SF.gov), 2025-2026). Grade 4/4.
- Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A written destination crisis plan (San Francisco Travel Association, 2025). Grade 2/4.
- Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source plus a reserve or stabilisation fund for downturns (San Francisco Tourism Improvement District (SFTID), 2025-2026). Grade 4/4.
Where Washington is stronger
- Recovery against 2019: 108.4 % of 2019 visitor nights reached in the latest full year (Destination DC, 2024). Between 100 and 110: grade 3/4.
- Hotel bed or room occupancy: 72 % average annual occupancy (Destination DC, 2024 Annual Visitor Statistics (STR), 2024). Between 65 and 75: grade 3/4.
- Flood hazard: low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 3/4.
- Green space: 37 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Urban Forestry Division / DOEE, Washington DC's Urban Tree Canopy Assessment, 2020). Between 30 and 40: grade 3/4.
- Rent growth: -0.9 % change in rents over the last 12 months (Apartment List, Washington, DC Rent Report, October 2025–October 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.
- Resident support for tourism: 64 % of residents who say tourism benefits them or the city (country figure) (Destinations International and Longwoods International, United States Industry Brief: 2024 National Resident Sentiment, 2024). Between 60 and 70: grade 3/4.
Country context (World Economic Forum)
- United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
- United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
San Francisco in full · Washington in full
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