Living in San Francisco, CA, known as 'The Golden City,' offers a vibrant urban experience combined with stunning natural beauty. Located in northern California, San Francisco is a large city renowned for its iconic landmarks, diverse culture, and innovative tech industry. Major nearby cities like Oakland and San Jose enhance its appeal as a central hub in the Bay Area. San Francisco's blend of historic charm and modern innovation creates a unique and dynamic living environment.
San Francisco is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman's Wharf. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the vibrant neighborhoods of Chinatown and the Mission District to the beautiful Golden Gate Park, which features gardens, museums, and recreational spaces. San Francisco's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from gourmet restaurants to food trucks serving delicious street food.
Annual events such as the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival highlight the city's dynamic cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate San Francisco's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco State University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in San Francisco is vibrant and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the American Conservatory Theater are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in San Francisco provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.
San Francisco’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Giants (MLB) and the 49ers (NFL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in San Francisco include technology, finance, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Salesforce and Wells Fargo driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses, light rail, and the BART system, making it easy for residents to navigate the city.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
San Francisco, California is a large city with a population of 874,784 residents. San Francisco has a population density of 18,647 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (45%) and Asian (34%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of San Francisco. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in San Francisco, only 45% of the population is married. Something to be aware of when living in San Francisco are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 33 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in San Francisco, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in San Francisco and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare San Francisco to California and the national average.
With a livability score of 79/100, San Francisco is ranked #1,521 in the United States and #52 in California. Clearly, San Francisco is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. San Francisco also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. San Francisco ranks well for education (A+) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in San Francisco. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F) and cost of living (F).
San Francisco has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that San Francisco has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Here are some of the more popular things to do in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, and Ferry Building Marketplace.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in San Francisco is actually affordable. The median home price for San Francisco homes is $1,152,300, which is 181.5% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in San Francisco, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.7, which is 51.6% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | San Francisco | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 33min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 30.5% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.8% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 31.6% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 3.7% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 11.7% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.8% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in California
These are the 10 cheapest cities in California
Safest States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in California