Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

How expensive is San Francisco, CA?

With a price level of 115.6 (U.S. average = 100), San Francisco, CA is one of the most expensive places in the country. In detail, housing costs run 95% above average; everyday goods run 8% above average; utilities run 73% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 6% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.

Prices in San Francisco, CA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in San Francisco, CA

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Salary needed to live in San Francisco, CA

To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:

Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, California 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.

A monthly budget on the median wage

A single worker earning San Francisco, CA's median wage of $74,260 takes home about $4,781 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $2,620, which is 55% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,161 a month for everything else.

Take-home pay in San Francisco, CA

Highest-paying jobs in San Francisco, CA

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

San Francisco, CA vs. similar-size cities

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in San Francisco, CA

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $239,200+
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $232,890
• Natural Sciences Manager — $225,230
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $221,580
• Marketing Manager — $220,480
• Financial Manager — $216,150
• Managers, All Other — $210,080
• Human Resources Manager — $209,340

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Personal Financial Advisor — $160,610
• Project Management Specialist — $135,040
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $130,520
• Management Analyst — $126,730
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $123,250
• Compliance Officer — $118,890
• Accountant and Auditor — $110,730
• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $105,340

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Software Developer — $186,640
• Data Scientist — $170,110
• Computer Network Architect — $166,760
• Web and Digital Interface Designer — $163,810
• Information Security Analyst — $162,310
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $161,700
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $134,630
• Computer Systems Analyst — $134,460

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Computer Hardware Engineer — $203,890
• Electrical Engineer — $166,030
• Mechanical Engineer — $161,370
• Engineers, All Other — $159,800
• Industrial Engineer — $132,230
• Civil Engineer — $130,160
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $126,550

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $160,180
• Biological Scientists, All Other — $138,160
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $126,860
• Biological Technician — $95,220

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Healthcare Social Worker — $99,640
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $94,600
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $72,020
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $68,400
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $68,390
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $57,580

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $212,500
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $84,030

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $239,200+
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $105,290
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $102,880
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $101,860
• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $82,620
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $81,100
• Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $79,250
• Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $75,420

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Art Director — $165,210
• Producer and Director — $130,640
• Public Relations Specialist — $102,520
• Graphic Designer — $92,050
• Coach and Scout — $54,770

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Nurse Practitioner — $219,080
• Registered Nurse — $186,610
• Pharmacist — $177,410
• Dental Hygienist — $146,760
• Physical Therapist — $141,980
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $141,780
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $94,310

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Dental Assistant — $64,390
• Medical Assistant — $59,790
• Nursing Assistant — $56,080
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,950

Protective Service Occupations

• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $132,000
• Firefighter — $113,700
• Security Guard — $45,730
• Protective Service Workers, All Other — $44,490

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $68,970
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $51,520
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $49,140
• Cooks, Fast Food — $46,670
• Cooks, Restaurant — $46,030
• Cooks, Short Order — $45,790
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $44,710
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $43,870

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $70,400
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $48,040
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $46,590
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $44,180

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $61,000
• Recreation Worker — $46,290
• Childcare Worker — $44,540
• Animal Caretaker — $43,640
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $42,400
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $41,600
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $40,140

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $130,710
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $105,130
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $102,290
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $96,960
• Insurance Sales Agent — $95,640
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $93,100
• Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $60,050
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $58,950

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $105,190
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $88,560
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $82,960
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $79,410
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $76,900
• Billing and Posting Clerk — $66,390
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $65,530
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $64,260

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• Construction and Building Inspector — $125,130
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $124,750
• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $120,810
• Electrician — $92,830
• Carpenter — $89,200
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $82,160
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $77,880
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $75,970

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $102,360
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $95,410
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $90,580
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $78,490
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $76,740
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $76,030
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $63,630
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $58,140

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $91,500
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $62,340
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $60,250
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $56,400
• Baker — $46,600
• Butcher and Meat Cutter — $46,490
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $46,310

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
• Flight Attendant — $89,430
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $78,900
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $73,950
• Bus Drivers, School — $73,680
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $66,450
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $59,240
• Light Truck Driver — $50,820

Other cities in California

• Los Angeles, CA
• Riverside, CA
• San Diego, CA
• San Jose, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Fresno, CA
• Bakersfield, CA
• Oxnard, CA
• Stockton, CA
• Santa Rosa, CA

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