Average Rent in San Francisco & Rent Price Trends

Considering a move to San Francisco? Before you start apartment hunting, learn about the local rental market. Make sure you know the average rent in San Francisco to get your budget started!

Average Rent in San Francisco

• The average rent for a San Francisco studio apartment is $2,486
• The average rent for a San Francisco 1-bedroom apartment is $3,387
• The average rent for a San Francisco 2-bedroom apartment is $4,536
• The average rent for a San Francisco 3-bedroom apartment is $5,427

Note: The data provided reflects our available units on Apartment List. For data that reflects the entire market, we recommend you visit our Rent Report, which is created based on our holistic methodology. You can also download the raw data containing rent estimates for hundreds of cities across the country.

San Francisco Rent Trends: Rent Growth

San Francisco rents have increased by 0.7% compared to last month, and are up by 12.08% compared to last year.

For a broader discussion of rent changes across the country, check out our National Rent Report. You can download the raw data containing rent estimates for hundreds of cities across the country.

San Francisco Rent Trends: Inventory by Average Apartment Rent

• 0% of apartments in San Francisco cost less than $1,000 per month.
• 7% of apartments in San Francisco cost between $1,000-$1,999 per month.
• 22% of apartments in San Francisco cost between $2,000-$2,999 per month.
• 71% of apartments in San Francisco cost over $3,000 per month.

San Francisco Rent Trends: Inventory by Apartment Type

• 22% of apartments in San Francisco are studio apartments.
• 38% of apartments in San Francisco are 1-bedroom apartments.
• 30% of apartments in San Francisco are 2-bedroom apartments.
• 10% of apartments in San Francisco are 3-bedroom apartments.

Average Rent in San Francisco Neighborhoods

Have your ideal San Francisco neighborhood already picked out? Rent prices across neighborhoods can vary, so get familiar with the average rent prices across the various neighborhoods in San Francisco.

• The most expensive neighborhoods in San Francisco are Pacific Heights ($3,799), Mission Bay ($3,708), and Northern Waterfront ($3,606).
• The most affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco are Nob Hill ($3,393), Lower Nob Hill ($2,892), and Tenderloin ($2,515).

If these neighborhoods don't seem right for you, check out the surrounding cities near San Francisco.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in San Francisco?

Using the 30% rule, we can give a rough estimate of the salary needed to rent an apartment in San Francisco. If these numbers look high, remember that a roommate or two can drastically cut down your monthly rent!

• If you are renting an average priced studio apartment in San Francisco, your annual salary should be around $99,440 or higher.
• If you are renting an average priced 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, your annual salary should be around $135,480 or higher.
• If you are renting an average priced 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, your annual salary should be around $181,440 or higher.
• If you are renting an average priced 3-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, your annual salary should be around $217,080 or higher.

If you're considering renting in San Francisco, be sure to learn more about the cost of living in San Francisco.

Having trouble deciding how much rent you can afford? Try using a rent calculator. If San Francisco seems too pricey for you, consider other cities in California that may be cheaper.

Ready to make the move to San Francisco? Learn how to find an apartment in San Francisco. Then, start apartment hunting in San Francisco with our quiz!