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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in San Francisco: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

15.6% above

Cost of living in San Francisco is 15.6% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (index 115.6; U.S. = 100). Median rent in San Francisco is $2,448 a month.

Cost of living in San Francisco by category

Overall prices

115.6U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+15.6% vs. U.S.

Goods
108.5 +8.5%
Housing (rents)
194.7 +94.7%
Utilities
172.6 +72.6%
Other services
106.2 +6.2%

BEA 2024 · San Francisco metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$2,448/mo

Median gross rent

+65% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$2,431 +87% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$3,126 +110% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$3,501 +109% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$1,314,700 +265% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$4,001 +97% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$161/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
33.6¢/kWh +84% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.96/Mcf +13% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
172.6

EIA July 2026 · California statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

32.2min

Mean travel time to work

+18% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
30.4%
Work from home
21.4%
Gasoline (San Francisco area)
$6.01/gal +38% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$607/wk

Center care, infant

+250% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$433/wk +182% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$477/wk +231% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$395/wk +176% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · San Francisco County Details: Child care

Income

$139,801/yr

Median household income

+71% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
21%
Home value to income
9.4×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in San Francisco

Median gross rent in San Francisco is $2,448 a month, 65% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $2,000–$2,499 range, which holds 15.2% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 48.4% pay $2,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,314,700, and 72.3% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: San Francisco vs. California vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent San Francisco: $2,448; California: $2,104; U.S.: $1,487 San Francisco $2,448 California $2,104 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs San Francisco: $4,001; California: $3,001; U.S.: $2,035 San Francisco $4,001 California $3,001 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value San Francisco: $1,314,700; California: $759,500; U.S.: $360,600 San Francisco $1,314,700 California $759,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureSan FranciscoCaliforniaU.S.
Median monthly rent$2,448$2,104$1,487
Monthly owner costs$4,001$3,001$2,035
Median home value$1,314,700$759,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in San Francisco

What renters pay in San Francisco Share of renter households paying cash rent in San Francisco by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 6%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 24.9%. Median $2,448. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 6% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3.7% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 4.1% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 5% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 4.9% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 12.7% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 15.2% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 12.2% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 11.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 24.9% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $2,448 (San Francisco) 24.9%
Show the data table
RangeSan FranciscoU.S.
Less than $5006%6.1%
$500–$7493.7%6.8%
$750–$9994.1%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2495%13.5%
$1,250–$1,4994.9%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99912.7%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49915.2%13.2%
$2,500–$2,99912.2%6.5%
$3,000–$3,49911.3%3.2%
$3,500 or more24.9%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in San Francisco

Home values in San Francisco Share of owner-occupied homes in San Francisco by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 1.9%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 42%. Median $1,314,700. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 20% 40% 60% Less than $100,000: 1.9% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 0.9% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 0.4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 0.4% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 0.5% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 0.7% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 1.5% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 7% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 14.3% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 30.3% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 42% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $1,314,700 (San Francisco) 42%
Show the data table
RangeSan FranciscoU.S.
Less than $100,0001.9%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9990.9%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9990.4%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9990.4%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9990.5%8.5%
$300,000–$399,9990.7%15.9%
$400,000–$499,9991.5%12%
$500,000–$749,9997%16.3%
$750,000–$999,99914.3%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,99930.3%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more42%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in San Francisco

Measure San Francisco California U.S.
Median rent (all units) $2,448$2,104$1,487
1-bedroom rent $2,431$1,835$1,301
2-bedroom rent $3,126$2,179$1,490
3-bedroom rent $3,501$2,431$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $4,001$3,001$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is San Francisco?

At the median, rent takes about 21% of household income in San Francisco. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $97,900 a year.

The median home is worth $1,314,700, or 9.4 times the median household income.

Household income in San Francisco

The median household in San Francisco earns $139,801 a year, 71% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 36.8% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 13.9% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: San Francisco vs. California vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) San Francisco: $139,801; California: $100,149; U.S.: $81,604 San Francisco $139,801 California $100,149 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureSan FranciscoCaliforniaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$139,801$100,149$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in San Francisco

Household income distribution in San Francisco Share of households in San Francisco by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 5.6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 36.8%. Median $139,801. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $10,000: 5.6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.7% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 1.6% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 1.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 1.9% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 8.2% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 7.4% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 5.8% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 11% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 36.8% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $139,801 (San Francisco) 36.8%
Show the data table
RangeSan FranciscoU.S.
Less than $10,0005.6%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.7%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.4%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.2%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9991.6%3%
$30,000–$34,9991.8%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9991.3%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9991.9%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.4%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9992.8%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9995.1%9.2%
$75,000–$99,9998.2%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9997.4%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9995.8%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99911%9.7%
$200,000 or more36.8%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure San Francisco California U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $139,801$100,149$81,604
Median home value $1,314,700$759,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area scored 115.6 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 194.7; the lowest is other services at 106.2.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items San Francisco metro area: 115.6; California: 110.7; U.S.: 100.0 San Francisco metro area 115.6 California 110.7 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods San Francisco metro area: 108.5; California: 106.1; U.S.: 99.6 San Francisco metro area 108.5 California 106.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) San Francisco metro area: 194.7; California: 154.3; U.S.: 100.6 San Francisco metro area 194.7 California 154.3 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities San Francisco metro area: 172.6; California: 158.9; U.S.: 98.4 San Francisco metro area 172.6 California 158.9 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services San Francisco metro area: 106.2; California: 102.6; U.S.: 100.1 San Francisco metro area 106.2 California 102.6 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureSan Francisco metro areaCaliforniaU.S.
All items115.6110.7100.0
Goods108.5106.199.6
Housing (rents)194.7154.3100.6
Utilities172.6158.998.4
Other services106.2102.6100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in California paid an average of 33.6¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $161 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.96 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are California averages rather than figures for San Francisco alone.

Energy prices: California vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) California: 33.6¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ California 33.6¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) California: $161; U.S.: $157 California $161 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) California: $21.96; U.S.: $19.40 California $21.96 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureCaliforniaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)33.6¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$161$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.96$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in San Francisco who commute spend an average of 32.2 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (30.4% of workers); 21.4% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $6.01 a gallon in the San Francisco area in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work San Francisco: Drove alone 30.4%, Carpooled 5.9%, Public transit 25%, Walked 10%, Bicycle 3.8%, Worked from home 21.4%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 3.4%. California: Drove alone 67.3%, Carpooled 10.2%, Public transit 3.3%, Walked 2.5%, Bicycle 0.8%, Worked from home 14.1%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.9%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in San Francisco: Drove alone. San Francisco San Francisco · Drove alone: 30.4% 30.4% San Francisco · Carpooled: 5.9% San Francisco · Public transit: 25% 25% San Francisco · Walked: 10% San Francisco · Bicycle: 3.8% San Francisco · Worked from home: 21.4% 21.4% San Francisco · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 3.4% California California · Drove alone: 67.3% 67.3% California · Carpooled: 10.2% California · Public transit: 3.3% California · Walked: 2.5% California · Bicycle: 0.8% California · Worked from home: 14.1% 14.1% California · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.9% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationSan FranciscoCaliforniaU.S.
Drove alone30.4%67.3%69.2%
Carpooled5.9%10.2%9.2%
Public transit25%3.3%3.7%
Walked10%2.5%2.4%
Bicycle3.8%0.8%0.5%
Worked from home21.4%14.1%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)3.4%1.9%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in San Francisco

Travel time to work in San Francisco Share of workers who do not work from home in San Francisco by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 0.8%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 3.1%. Mean 32.2 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 0.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 3.4% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 7.9% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 12.6% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 15.6% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 7.4% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 17.4% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 4% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 5.8% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 11.3% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 10.4% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 3.1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 32.2 min (San Francisco) 17.4%
Show the data table
RangeSan FranciscoU.S.
Less than 5 min0.8%2.8%
5–9 min3.4%9.4%
10–14 min7.9%13.1%
15–19 min12.6%15%
20–24 min15.6%14.1%
25–29 min7.4%7%
30–34 min17.4%13.7%
35–39 min4%3.4%
40–44 min5.8%4.1%
45–59 min11.3%8.3%
60–89 min10.4%6.3%
90 min or more3.1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in San Francisco

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $607 a week in San Francisco County, or $31,544 over 52 weeks. That is 250% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care San Francisco County California (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $607$353$174
Center-based care, toddler $433$217$153
Center-based care, preschool $477$190$144
Center-based care, school-age $438$110$120
Home-based family care, infant $395$246$143
Home-based family care, toddler $369$219$132
Home-based family care, preschool $410$207$131
Home-based family care, school-age $433$199$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than San Francisco prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in San Francisco?

Median rent is $2,431 for a one-bedroom and $3,126 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in San Francisco?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 13.8% pay less than $1,000 a month, 22.6% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 63.6% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in San Francisco?

To keep the median rent of $2,448 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $97,900 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is San Francisco more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area at 115.6 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 15.6% above average. Housing rents score 194.7.

How long is the average commute in San Francisco?

32.2 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in San Francisco?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $607 a week in San Francisco County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.