Cost of Living in San Francisco

Those planning on moving to San Francisco will need to ensure they can afford the city's high cost of living. Not only is it the third most expensive city in the US (after New York City and LA) but it's also one of the priciest cities worldwide. Mercer's 2023 Cost of Living Survey placed San Francisco as the world's 14th most expensive city out of 227 cities assessed worldwide.

However, this shouldn’t put prospective residents off moving to San Francisco. Salaries tend to be correspondingly high, though newcomers should remember that smart budgeting is essential in the Golden Gate City.

Cost of accommodation in San Francisco

Housing is a big-ticket item in a person's total cost of living in San Francisco. Generally, house hunters will find that it isn't possible to afford a nice place to rent without compromising on location and size. Many apartment complexes also have shared laundry, and newcomers will have to be prepared to pay extra for an apartment with its own washer and dryer.

Some rental accommodation in San Francisco includes utilities or gardening costs, which can be better value for money. But with demand for rental properties being so high, many properties are leased within hours of being advertised.

Cost of food in San Francisco

The cost of food can be fairly cheap in San Francisco’s supermarkets, especially if new arrivals join store loyalty programmes to get discounts on certain items. Farmer's markets and speciality organic food supermarkets often provide produce of a higher quality, but can be pricier.

Cost of transport in San Francisco

Public transport options in San Francisco are limited for those who don’t live along the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train line. That said, fares on public transport are reasonable. Because of the high price of accommodation in the city, it's common for residents to drive long distances to work each day, which potentially involves paying several bridge tolls in addition to fuel costs.

Cost of education in San Francisco

Public schools in San Francisco are free, but parents are expected to cover stationery and excursion costs. There are also endless fundraising events at most public schools to cover the costs of education; though all donations are voluntary. 

The cost of private education in San Francisco, as with most cities, is high. International schools, which teach foreign curricula, tend to be more expensive than other types of private schools.

Cost of entertainment in San Francisco

One of the most alluring aspects of San Francisco is its fantastic lifestyle. The cost of leisure pursuits and entertainment in San Francisco will depend on personal preferences.  

Ticket costs for popular museums, musicals and concerts are quite expensive, but many theme parks and tourist attractions offer season passes or group deals that can make entertainment more affordable.