| Index | South San Francisco | California | National |
| Cost of living | 207 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 114 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 417 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 121 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 117 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 125 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in South San Francisco can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The South San Francisco cost of living index is 207, which is 107% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, South San Francisco may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, South San Francisco falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in South San Francisco, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 317.1% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, 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 South San Francisco, you can expect to spend 12.3% 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, South San Francisco is no exception, where grocery prices are 11.5% above the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 11 residents in South San Francisco to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 0% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 100% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is South 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 South San Francisco, the median home price is 395.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 134.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South San Francisco boasting a median household income of $160,009, 96.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In South San Francisco, the housing index is 317.1% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In South San Francisco, healthcare costs are 14.4% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, 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. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
The South San Francisco cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $192,713 | $16,059 | $4,496 | $5,782 |
| Renters | $133,901 | $11,158 | $3,124 | $4,017 |
| 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. |
| Cherryland, CA | 16,430 | 160 | 60.4% |
| Ashland, CA | 24,254 | 162 | 62.0% |
| Emeryville, CA | 12,131 | 171 | 71.1% |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 31,094 | 169 | 69.4% |
| San Leandro, CA | 93,731 | 173 | 73.2% |
| South San Francisco, CA | 68,998 | 207 | 107.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Alpharetta, GA | 69,031 | 135 | 35.5% |
| Portland, ME | 68,956 | 119 | 19.1% |
| Mount Vernon, NY | 69,130 | 133 | 33.3% |
| Johnson City, TN | 69,135 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Rocklin, CA | 69,145 | 156 | 55.7% |
| South San Francisco, CA | 68,998 | 207 | 107.1% |
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