Cost of living · San Francisco · 2026 Edition

Cost of Living in San Francisco:
Where Does Your Paycheck Go?
Let's Find Out.

An interactive breakdown of where San Francisco incomes actually go — and what changes when you solve the one variable that matters most.

$4,300/momedian 1BR rent

13.3% CA topstate tax

1.31×vs Silicon Valley

Cost of living in San Francisco: the numbers

In San Francisco, the median one-bedroom rent is $4,300 per month, state tax is 13.3% CA top, and overall costs run about 1.30× Silicon Valley. A typical single tech salary here is around $185,000. This interactive calculator breaks down where that paycheck goes — taxes, 401(k), housing (rent or own), childcare, and everyday living expenses — and shows what's left over each month. It also compares San Francisco with 12 other cities, from New York City to Tokyo. See the full multi-city calculator.

The calculator requires JavaScript. Without it, you can still explore the research behind it:

Your Housing Situation

after taxes · 401(k) · housing · all living expenses

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