Cost of Living in San Francisco, United States
San Francisco is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $4,403 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $3,351 per month, or $2,783 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, San Francisco scores 38/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 67°F and winter highs around 56°F, with roughly 285 sunny days a year.
San Francisco Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in San Francisco
How San Francisco Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, San Francisco ranks in the top 2% for walkability, but costs more than 99% of them.
| Metric | San Francisco | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $4,403 | #338 of 340 | #79 of 80 |
| Safety | 38/100 | #291 of 340 | #60 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 65/100 | #200 of 340 | #69 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 89/100 | #4 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Public transit | 77/100 | #40 of 340 | #3 of 80 |
| Food scene | 90/100 | #30 of 340 | #5 of 80 |
| Air quality | 88/100 | #76 of 340 | #20 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to San Francisco
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than San Francisco.
- Seattle, United States — $3,540/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 40/100
- Chicago, United States — $2,961/mo, 33% cheaper, safety 35/100
- Portland, United States — $2,987/mo, 32% cheaper, safety 38/100
- Vancouver, Canada — $2,180/mo, 50% cheaper, safety 75/100
Neighborhoods in San Francisco
Mission District · Hayes Valley · Castro · SoMa · North Beach
San Francisco FAQ
How much does it cost to live in San Francisco?
A single person should budget around $4,403 per month in San Francisco, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,975 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in San Francisco?
A one-bedroom apartment in central San Francisco averages $3,351 per month, dropping to about $2,783 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $5,733.
Is San Francisco safe?
San Francisco scores 38/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 48/100.
How fast is the internet in San Francisco?
Median download speeds in San Francisco are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 140 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in San Francisco?
San Francisco sees summer highs around 67°F and winter highs near 56°F, with about 285 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 51 days.
San Francisco in our travel guides
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