Cost of Living in San Francisco, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Francisco, CA

Understanding the cost of living in 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 San Francisco cost of living index is 237, which is 137% 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 affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in San Francisco is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, San Francisco falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly 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 400.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In San Francisco, you can expect to pay 19.9% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, San Francisco does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 22.5% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in San Francisco?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 51 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in San Francisco and this is how they responded. 4% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 96% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is San Francisco Affordable?

Wondering if San Francisco is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In San Francisco, for example, the median home price is 523.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 111.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with San Francisco boasting a median household income of $119,136, which is 115.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in San Francisco?

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in San Francisco comes in at 35.8% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In San Francisco, healthcare costs are 24.8% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In San Francisco, the transportation index is 31.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in San Francisco displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.