✦ Cost of living
San Francisco
San Francisco, California
US = 100
In plain terms: San Francisco is about 52% 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.
- Housing224+124%
- Food & groceries121+21%
- Transport118+18%
- Utilities112+12%
- Healthcare118+18%
- Goods & services127+27%
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
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
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
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco, CA's cost-of-living index is 152 (US average = 100) — about 52% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $3,300 per month.
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.
❖ Compare San Francisco with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.