Cost of Living in San Francisco (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in San Francisco? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, central neighbourhoodsUSD 3,200–4,200 / month

One-bed apartment, Sunset or RichmondUSD 2,400–3,000 / month

MUNI monthly pass (including BART within the city)USD 98 / month

Groceries, one personUSD 450–650 / month

Mission burritoUSD 14–18

Good to know

Population

≈810,000 in the city; ≈7.7 million across the nine-county Bay Area

Languages

English; Spanish and Cantonese are widely spoken, and city services are provided in all three

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Time zone

PST (GMT-8); PDT (GMT-7) from mid-March to early November

Power plug

Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz

Climate

Cool-summer Mediterranean — dry, foggy summers, mild wet winters, and no real hot season

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

8.625% in San Francisco, added at the register rather than the shelf price

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized San Francisco checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.