San Francisco, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching San Francisco.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in San Francisco?
For relocators asking how much San Francisco costs: the housing index sits at 317 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $1,380,500 and rents near $2,419. Local median income is about $141,446 and unemployment recently ran 3.9% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 34 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 669.6 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 317U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $1,380,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,419U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $141,446U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 34 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 669.6per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 67°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how San Francisco compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 827,526City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $141,446Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year80% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 317ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year217% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $1,380,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year355% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,419City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year79% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 34 min36% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 8998% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 669.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)14% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 5505.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)78% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 67°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals20.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 47°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 22.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals31% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 294As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
San Francisco grew 2.7% from 805,505 in 2010 to 827,526 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is San Francisco expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, San Francisco runs 217 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 317 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $1,380,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,419 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in San Francisco?
Budget first around $2,419/month rent or $1,380,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $1,380,500
- Median rent $2,419/month
- Median household income $141,446
What is the job market like in San Francisco?
Labor-market context for San Francisco: unemployment 3.9% and median income $141,446. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $141,446
How long is the typical commute in San Francisco?
Plan on roughly 34 minutes each way in San Francisco. Walk Score estimates around 89 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 34 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 89/100
Is San Francisco safer than similar U.S. cities?
San Francisco's FBI-derived violent rate (~669.6/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 669.6 per 100k
- Property 5505.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in San Francisco?
San Francisco's climate profile: 67°F summer peaks, 47°F winter mornings, 22.9" annual rainfall, and 294 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 67°F
- Winter low 47°F
- 22.9 in rain · 294 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in San Francisco?
Mission is the name relocators hear first; compare it with Marina and SOMA once you know your job location.
- Mission
- Marina
- SOMA
What nearby city comparisons involve San Francisco?
These curated pair pages put San Francisco beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
About 827,526 people live in San Francisco, CA. Households here report a median income near $141,446; our housing-derived cost index is about 317 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $1,380,500 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 294 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 34 minutes one-way, with walkability near 89/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.9% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 669.6 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
If you only tour one corridor, make it Mission; if you have a weekend, contrast it with Marina and the quieter edges near SOMA. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare San Francisco with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Mission
- Marina
- SOMA
- Noe Valley
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (San Francisco city, 1600000US0667000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Francisco County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023272 SAN FRANCISCO DWTN) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10