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San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Cost of living in San Francisco, California

San Francisco County, CA

Part of the San Francisco Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$5,817/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 836,321 · Last updated May 24, 2026

San Francisco carries some of the most extreme housing costs in the country, matched by some of its highest salaries. A single person spends approximately $5,817 per month here, the steepest single-person total in this group. Housing is the driving force, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $2,780 per month, a two-bedroom reaching $3,318, and the average home value approaching $1,380,500, among the highest anywhere in the nation.

Those costs are balanced by exceptional earnings. The typical household brings in about $141,446 per year, the highest figure in this group, powered by the technology and venture capital economy that defines the Bay Area. California's graduated state income tax climbs to 13.3% at the top, the combined sales tax is 8.85%, and property taxes average around $9,412 per year. San Francisco blends city density with modern work patterns, as about 21.4% of commuters use public transportation and roughly 27.5% of residents work from home.

The data shows a compact, high-income metro where world-class earnings meet world-class housing prices. Explore the wider San Francisco Metro Area, browse other counties across California, or use our comparison tool to compare San Francisco with another city.

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,780 48%
Federal tax $1,369 24%
Healthcare $480 8%
Groceries $397 7%
State tax $364 6%
Energy $217 4%
Transport $150 3%
Water $60 1%

Rent in San Francisco

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,275
per month
1 bedroom
$2,780
per month
2 bedroom
$3,318
per month
3 bedroom
$4,138
per month
4 bedroom
$4,399
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in San Francisco

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$141,446
per year
Individual earnings
$82,931
per year
Per capita
$90,285
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in San Francisco

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$1,380,500
Annual property tax
$9,412

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in San Francisco

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in San Francisco

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in San Francisco

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in San Francisco

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
31.2 min
Drive alone
28.6%
Public transit
21.4%
Work from home
27.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for San Francisco

What it costs to live in San Francisco each month.

Single person
$5,817
per month
  • Rent $2,780
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $150
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $1,369
  • State tax $364
Couple
$8,322
per month
  • Rent $3,318
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $200
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $2,135
  • State tax $817
Family
$11,329
per month
  • Rent $4,138
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $280
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $2,135
  • State tax $817

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,780 per month, a two-bedroom averages $3,318 per month, a three-bedroom averages $4,138 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, California, the average household income is $141,446 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $82,931 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in San Francisco?

The estimated cost of living in San Francisco, California is approximately $5,817 per month for a single person, $8,322 for a couple, $11,329 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in San Francisco?

The combined sales tax rate in San Francisco, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is San Francisco an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in San Francisco, California would need approximately $5,817 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $141,446 per year ($11,787 per month). San Francisco is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in San Francisco?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in San Francisco, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in San Francisco?

The average home value in San Francisco, California is $1,380,500, with average annual property taxes of $9,412, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does San Francisco compare to other areas?

You can compare San Francisco, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. San Francisco is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare San Francisco with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources