Cost of Living in San Francisco
United States
Monthly budget (single)
$3,385–$5,359/month
$3,385 – $5,359 (local currency)
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in San Francisco?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Cost breakdown
| Category | USD | Local currency |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $2,538–$3,949 | $2,538 – $3,949 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $1,340–$2,115 | $1,340 – $2,115 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $106–$204 | $106 – $204 |
| Internet & Mobile | $42–$71 | $42 – $71 |
| Groceries (monthly) | $536–$804 | $536 – $804 |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $71–$127 | $71 – $127 |
| Coffee | $6–$8 | $6 – $8 |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $134–$162 | $134 – $162 |
| Gym membership | $49–$92 | $49 – $92 |
| Cinema ticket | $20–$25 | $20 – $25 |
Budget scenarios
Single
$3,385–$5,359/mo USD
$3,385 – $5,359
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,949/mo
- Groceries: ~$804/mo
- Transport: ~$162/mo
Couple
$5,359–$8,179/mo USD
$5,359 – $8,179
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,949/mo
- Groceries: ~$804/mo
- Transport: ~$162/mo
Family
$7,756–$11,987/mo USD
$7,756 – $11,987
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,949/mo
- Groceries: ~$804/mo
- Transport: ~$162/mo
Neighbourhood guide
San Francisco Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $3,173–$4,936/mo ($3,173 – $4,936)
San Francisco Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,792–$4,344/mo ($2,792 – $4,344)
San Francisco Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,030–$3,159/mo ($2,030 – $3,159)
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Tech salaries
- • Innovation
- • Climate
❌ Cons
- • Extreme housing costs
- • Homelessness visible
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Compare San Francisco with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.