salarySan Francisco is the 4th-largest city in California that we track, with 830,235 residents. Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.4 minutes each way. Most households rent (62%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 60.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $128,040 a year. That is $62 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 538 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare San Francisco with other big cities
Compare San Francisco to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in San Francisco?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in San Francisco
| Size | San Francisco | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,669 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,603 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,312 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,678 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is San Francisco overall?
Everyday prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area are 16% above the U.S. average (index 115.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in San Francisco
Life in San Francisco
What jobs pay in San Francisco
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $219,080 | 17.5% |
| Lawyer | $212,500 | 18.1% |
| Software Developer | $186,640 | 20.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $186,610 | 20.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $184,380 | 20.8% |
| Pharmacist | $177,410 | 21.7% |
| Operations Manager | $149,990 | 25.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $146,760 | 26.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $134,460 | 28.6% |
| Police Officer | $132,000 | 29.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | 29.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $123,250 | 31.2% |
| Firefighter | $113,700 | 33.8% |
| Accountant | $110,730 | 34.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 37.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $94,310 | 40.7% |
| Electrician | $92,830 | 41.4% |
| Carpenter | $89,200 | 43.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,490 | 48.9% |
| Plumber | $77,880 | 49.3% |
| Truck Driver | $66,450 | 57.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 | 64.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $57,830 | 66.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,080 | 68.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $48,400 | 79.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,030 | 83.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $43,850 | 87.6% |
| Cashier | $41,270 | 93.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,860 | 98.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in San Francisco?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $6,475 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,394,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $139,450 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Francisco, CA?
Renting in San Francisco costs a median of about $3,201 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in San Francisco?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $128,040 a year, or $62 an hour at a full-time job.
Is San Francisco cheap or expensive?
San Francisco is rated OK: rent takes 25.3% of the typical household income of $152,036. It ranks 538th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in San Francisco?
The median homeowner in San Francisco pays $9,862 a year in property taxes, about 0.71% of the median home value.
Is San Francisco more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 16% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in San Francisco?
The median home value in San Francisco is $1,394,500, about 9.2 times the typical yearly household income.
830,235 people live in San Francisco. Numbers are typical (middle) values.