The average cost of living in San Francisco is $3,586.65 per month.
San Francisco is an American treasure. It is well-known for its cultural diversity, progressive approach, beautiful natural scenery, delicious food, music, art, and culture. The large city has a very welcoming and neighborly vibe, and over 900,000 people call San Francisco home.
There is a certain charm in San Francisco that draws in many new residents each year. But like many major cities in California, San Francisco has a high cost of living.
In this article, we will help you with everything you need to know about the cost of living if you are looking to move to San Francisco. Let’s take a look!
Methodology
The main data collection source for this article is Numbeo and trusted city-related websites, including SF.Gov and Muni Transit. The costs presented are estimates and pertain to an individual living alone on a monthly basis.
Cost of Living in San Francisco, CA – 2025
Housing costs in San Francisco
Living in San Francisco is not cheap. San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities for real estate in the United States. For renters, there is tough competition to find an apartment in San Francisco, even in expensive neighborhoods.
Cost of rent in San Francisco
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
San Francisco (Outside of Center) |
$2,659.34 |
$4,918.69 |
Cost of buying a property in San Francisco
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
San Francisco |
$1,271,322 |
Utility costs in San Francisco: Internet, electricity and water
Whether you own a house or pay the rent, you must cover the utility cost. The average basic utility package that includes heating, electricity, water, and garbage in San Francisco is as follows:
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$240.85 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$67.82 |
|
Total |
$308.67 |
Grocery costs in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the country in regard to food cost. The prices of everyday food products such as eggs, milk, and bread are higher than the national average.
|
Grocery items in San Francisco |
Cost |
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
$5.98 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
$4.58 |
|
Rice (white) (1 lb) |
$2.74 |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
$5.76 |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$8.83 |
|
Chicken Filets (1 lb) |
$7.37 |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) |
$8.51 |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$3.01 |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
$1.58 |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.21 |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
$3.56 |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
$2.01 |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
$1.87 |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
$3.29 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$15.00 |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
$2.04 |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
$3.16 |
Public transit in San Francisco
San Francisco’s public transportation system is very convenient, especially regarding accessibility. San Francisco offers a wide variety of public transport options. In fact, San Francisco has one of the lowest car ownership rates in the country.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Single ticket |
$3.00 |
|
Daily pass |
$5.00 |
|
Weekly pass |
$47.00 |
|
Monthly pass |
$98.00 |
Entertainment costs in San Francisco
San Francisco is famous for its captivating Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, and Mission murals. Additionally, its proximity to the Bay Area, trails, parks, and mountains allow water-based activities, and outdoor lifestyle, making it an appealing place for those seeking a high-quality, balanced and enriching life.
|
Entertainment in Los Angeles |
Cost |
|
Mid-range restaurant meal |
$50.00 |
|
Taxi 1h |
$29.00 |
|
1 cinema ticket |
$16.00 |
|
Total |
$95.00 |
Sales tax in San Francisco
San Francisco’s sales tax is set by the state at 8.625%. The city retains 1% of all sales tax proceeds. This tax generates income for the City’s General Fund.
Healthcare costs in San Francisco
Healthcare has quite a good reputation in San Francisco with all its high quality medical institutions. With all the big tech industry companies in San Francisco, there are definitely some great employer sponsored insurance packages.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$101.03 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance |
$486.00 |
|
Gym |
$99.64 |
Numbeo (Sept 2023), CA Health Care Foundation (April 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Sept 2023)
Conclusion
The cost of living in San Francisco, California is high; however, the city offers a beautiful landscape, a great food scene, and an efficient transport system. If rightly budgeted, you can move to San Francisco in no time. The average cost of living in San Francisco is mentioned in the table below:
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$2,659.34 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($81.50 multiplied by 4) |
$326.00 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$240.85 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$67.82 |
|
Transit pass |
$98.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$95.00 |
|
Gym membership |
$99.64 |
|
Total |
$3,586.65 |
