salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $133,680 a year. That is $64 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 558 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in South San Francisco?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in South San Francisco
| Size | South San Francisco | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,333 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,550 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,096 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is South 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 South San Francisco
Life in South San Francisco
What jobs pay in South San Francisco
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $219,080 | 18.3% |
| Lawyer | $212,500 | 18.9% |
| Software Developer | $186,640 | 21.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $186,610 | 21.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $184,380 | 21.8% |
| Pharmacist | $177,410 | 22.6% |
| Operations Manager | $149,990 | 26.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $146,760 | 27.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $134,460 | 29.8% |
| Police Officer | $132,000 | 30.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | 30.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $123,250 | 32.5% |
| Firefighter | $113,700 | 35.3% |
| Accountant | $110,730 | 36.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 39.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $94,310 | 42.5% |
| Electrician | $92,830 | 43.2% |
| Carpenter | $89,200 | 45.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,490 | 51.1% |
| Plumber | $77,880 | 51.5% |
| Truck Driver | $66,450 | 60.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 | 67.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $57,830 | 69.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,080 | 71.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $48,400 | 82.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,030 | 87.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $43,850 | 91.5% |
| Cashier | $41,270 | 97.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,860 | 103.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in South San Francisco?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,907 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,188,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $118,880 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South San Francisco, CA?
Renting in South San Francisco costs a median of about $3,342 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in South San Francisco?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $133,680 a year, or $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is South San Francisco cheap or expensive?
South San Francisco is rated OK: rent takes 27.2% of the typical household income of $147,299. It ranks 558th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in South San Francisco?
The median homeowner in South San Francisco pays $7,283 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is South 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 South San Francisco?
The median home value in South San Francisco is $1,188,800, about 8.1 times the typical yearly household income.
64,305 people live in South San Francisco. Numbers are typical (middle) values.