San Francisco Cost of Living Guide 2025
Complete breakdown of living costs, salaries, and neighborhoods in America's tech capital
Housing Market Overview
2025 Rental Prices
San Francisco's housing market is among the world's most expensive. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment exceeds $5,800, with premium neighborhoods like SOMA, Mission Bay, and Pacific Heights commanding even higher prices. Even with high tech salaries, many residents spend 40-50% of their income on housing.
⚠️ Housing Reality Check
Many SF apartments require first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposit upfront - potentially $15,000-20,000 to move in. Budget accordingly and consider roommates to reduce costs.
Tech Industry & Salaries
San Francisco remains the epicenter of the global tech industry, with major companies like Salesforce, Uber, Twitter, and countless startups headquartered here. Tech salaries are among the highest globally, but they need to be to maintain quality of life.
Average Tech Salaries (2025)
- Software Engineer: $160K - $250K
- Senior Engineer: $200K - $350K
- Product Manager: $180K - $280K
- Data Scientist: $170K - $260K
Total Compensation
Remember to factor in equity and bonuses:
- • RSUs can add 20-50% to base salary
- • Annual bonuses: 10-25% of base
- • Sign-on bonuses: $10K-100K
- • Benefits worth $20K-40K annually
Transportation & Commuting
SF's compact size makes it walkable, but many tech workers commute to South Bay companies. Public transit includes Muni buses/trains, BART, and Caltrain for regional connections.
Public Transit
- • Muni Monthly: $81
- • BART to Peninsula: $200-300/mo
- • Company Shuttles: Free
- • Caltrain to South Bay: $200-250/mo
Car Costs
- • Parking: $400-800/mo
- • Insurance: $200-350/mo
- • Gas: $200-300/mo
- • Bridge Tolls: $150-300/mo
Compare SF Costs
See how San Francisco compares to other cities and find your ideal salary.
Launch CalculatorSF Neighborhoods
Most Expensive
SOMA, Mission Bay, Pacific Heights
Mid-Range
Castro, Noe Valley, Hayes Valley
Most Affordable
Sunset, Richmond, Outer Mission
San Francisco Living FAQ
To live comfortably in San Francisco in 2025, a single person typically needs $150,000-$200,000 annually, while a family of four should aim for $300,000-$400,000. The high housing costs drive these requirements - housing alone can consume 40-50% of gross income even at these salary levels.