San Francisco, California has an overall cost of living index of 117.6, which is 17.6 points above the US average of 100 — making it pricier than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $2,476 per month, while the typical home is valued around $1,394,500. Households earn a median of $140,970 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$140,970
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$2,476
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$1,394,500
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
117.6
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$2,485
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$2,977
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$3,604
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$4,604
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
117.6
Goods
115.2
Rents / Housing
200.1
Services
162.2
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $187,840 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $178,450 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $96,460 |
| ⚡Electrician | $104,240 |
| 📊Accountant | $119,870 |
| 🔧Plumber | $86,270 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $266,170 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $134,970 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $178,780 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $129,130 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $180,440 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $68,410 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $185,080 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
830,235
Latest estimate
Median Age
40 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
January Avg
49°F
July Avg
73°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
32.1
poor
Hospitals
13
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
96.7%
What is the cost of living index for San Francisco?
San Francisco has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 117.6. The US national average is 100, so San Francisco is 17.6 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in San Francisco?
The median gross rent in San Francisco is $2,476 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in San Francisco?
The median household income in San Francisco is $140,970 per year.
What is the median home value in San Francisco?
The median home value in San Francisco is $1,394,500 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in San Francisco?
Air quality data for San Francisco is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in San Francisco?
Tax data for California is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
