✦ Cost of living
San Francisco
San Francisco, California
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $2,397/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: San Francisco is about 18% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $3,300/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing174+74%
- Food & groceries94−6%
- Transport92−8%
- Utilities87−13%
- Healthcare92−8%
- Goods & services98−2%
Is San Francisco expensive?
Yes, moderately. San Francisco indexes at 118 against a US average of 100 — roughly 18% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, San Francisco ranks #13 by overall cost — 74 of them are cheaper.
What a month in San Francisco costs
One person
$4,250/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$5,880/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$10,820/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,500 | $3,300 | $6,500 |
| Food & groceries | $430 | $630 | $1,050 |
| Transport | $550 | $810 | $1,360 |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | $440 |
| Healthcare | $260 | $380 | $630 |
| Goods & services | $340 | $500 | $840 |
| Total per month | $4,250 | $5,880 | $10,820 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to San Francisco
Tech's global capital — the highest salaries in the US, and rents to match, wrapped in fog and hills.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-8
- Internet
- 220 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 45/100
- Climate
- ❄ 11°C · ☀ 17°C · 256 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Mission · SoMa · Hayes Valley
About
“The City by the Bay”
Tech's global capital — the highest salaries in the US, and rents to match, wrapped in fog and hills.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 37.77, -122.42
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
70/100
Safety
45/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
220 Mbps
Jan avg
+11 °C
Jul avg
+17 °C
Sunny days
256/yr
Walkability
88/100
Public transit
80/100
Family-friendly
55/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 150
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $500/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in San Francisco without a car?
85/100
Car-free score
88/100
Walkability
80/100
Public transport
Yes — San Francisco scores 85/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in San Francisco indexes at 92 against a US average of 100 — about 8% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
San Francisco ranks #6 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in San Francisco — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$3,300
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$2,500
- Inexpensive meal$22
- Monthly transit pass$98
- Utilities (monthly)$170
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is San Francisco, CA expensive to live in?
San Francisco, CA's cost-of-living index is 118 (US average = 100) — about 18% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #13 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $4,250 a month and a family of four around $10,820, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco, CA's cost-of-living index is 118 (US average = 100) — about 18% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $3,300 per month.
What are the average living costs in San Francisco, CA?
Living costs in San Francisco, CA are about 18% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 118 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $3,300. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in San Francisco, CA?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $3,300 per month, and around $2,500 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco, CA averages around +11 °C in January and +17 °C in July, with roughly 256 sunny days a year.
Is San Francisco, CA safe?
San Francisco, CA scores 45 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in San Francisco, CA without a car?
San Francisco, CA scores 85/100 on our car-free score — 88/100 for walkability and 80/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.