Cost of Living in San Francisco, California
San Francisco has a population of about 830,235. The median household income is $140,970, median gross rent is $2,476/month, and the median home value is $1,394,500. Below is how San Francisco compares to the US.
Is San Francisco expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median, rent in San Francisco is 50% above the national median and home values are 272% above the national median. Household income here is 68% above the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 21% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Francisco?
The median gross rent in San Francisco, California is $2,476 per month (US Census ACS).
What is the median home price in San Francisco?
The median home value in San Francisco is $1,394,500.
How much do people earn in San Francisco?
The median household income in San Francisco is $140,970 per year.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. Last updated 2026-07-11.