Is San Francisco expensive to live in?
Median income: $126,187. Median rent: $2,130. Median home price: $1,194,500.
Relocation guide · California
Moving to San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA city guide. Population is 865,933. Median household income is $126,187. Median rent is $2,130.
Median Rent
$2,130/mo
Median Income
$126,187
State Tax
13.3%
Population
865,933
Cost of living
What you'll spend in San Francisco
Median income: $126,187. Median rent: $2,130. Median home price: $1,194,500.
Median Rent/mo
$2,130
Median Home Price
$1,194,500
Median Income
$126,187
Rent-to-Income
20%
Taxes
Your tax situation in California
State tax rate: 13.3%. Local tax rate: 0%.
State Income Tax
13.30%
Local Tax Rate
0.00%
Climate
Weather in San Francisco
Average high: 55.62°F. Average low: 48.76°F. Annual rainfall: 0 inches. Sunny days: 0.
Avg High Temp
55.62°F
Avg Low Temp
48.76°F
Sunny Days/yr
0
Annual Rainfall
N/A
Relocation checklist
Before you move to San Francisco
Use this checklist to stay organized during your move.
- ✓Research neighborhoods and commute routes
- ✓Compare rent vs buying based on your timeline
- ✓Check state income tax impact on your salary
- ✓Verify employer presence or remote work infrastructure
- ✓Review health insurance and healthcare options
- ✓Update driver's license and vehicle registration
- ✓Transfer voter registration to new state
- ✓Find a local bank or update your address
- ✓Research school districts if moving with children
- ✓Get quotes from at least 3 moving companies
Considering other cities?
Compare San Francisco with similar cities
Frequently asked questions about moving to San Francisco
What is the average rent in San Francisco?
The median rent in San Francisco is $2,130/month. Median home price is $1,194,500. Many newcomers rent for the first year to learn the neighborhoods before buying.
Does California have a state income tax?
State tax rate: 13.3%. Local tax rate: 0%.
What is San Francisco known for?
San Francisco, CA city guide. Population is 865,933. Median household income is $126,187. Median rent is $2,130.
What should I know before moving to San Francisco?
Research neighborhoods carefully — San Francisco has significant variation in cost and lifestyle by area.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and NOAA. Updated 2026.