| Index | San Francisco | California | National |
| Cost of living | 245 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 122 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 123 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 516 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 132 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 126 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 140 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 118 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 154 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in San Francisco? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in San Francisco stands at 245, making it 145% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in San Francisco is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, San Francisco falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the San Francisco cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 416.2% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In San Francisco, you can expect to spend 18% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, San Francisco is no exception, where grocery prices are 21.8% above the national average.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 59 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in San Francisco and this is how they responded. 14% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 86% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is San Francisco affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in San Francisco, the median home price is 545.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 113.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with San Francisco boasting a median household income of $176,069, 116.5% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In San Francisco, the groceries index is 21.8% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In San Francisco, the transportation index is 31.8% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for San Francisco are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $220,325 | $18,360 | $5,141 | $6,610 |
| Renters | $149,448 | $12,454 | $3,487 | $4,484 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Strawberry CDP (Tuolumne County), CA | 119 | 115 | 15.1% |
| El Cerrito CDP, CA | 5,896 | 141 | 41.1% |
| San Pablo, CA | 32,024 | 140 | 39.7% |
| North Richmond, CA | 4,427 | 144 | 44.1% |
| Rollingwood, CA | 3,750 | 149 | 49.3% |
| San Francisco, CA | 898,133 | 245 | 145.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Indianapolis, IN | 899,521 | 93 | 6.6% |
| Charlotte, NC | 903,228 | 110 | 10.2% |
| Columbus, OH | 914,920 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Fort Worth, TX | 926,371 | 103 | 2.9% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 934,752 | 108 | 8.0% |
| San Francisco, CA | 898,133 | 245 | 145.5% |
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