15 Things to Know Before Moving to San Francisco, CA

As the fourth largest city in California, San Francisco offers urban living along the Bay. The city earned its reputation as a hippie haven turned tech hub where students and young professionals come to build their careers in Silicon Valley. That contrast between old and new, earthy and worldly, makes San Francisco truly the best of both worlds. You’ll find bustling businesses as well as a robust nightlife, world-class dining alongside the best food trucks and bodegas, luxury and vintage thrift shopping side by side – all surrounded by gorgeous trails and outdoor recreation set against an iconic landscape. Before you pack up and move to San Francisco, though, here are some things you need to know about living in the Golden Gate City.

1. What It's Like Living in San Francisco

San Francisco is home to 808,990 and is the 16th most populous city in the United States, as well as the fourth most populous city in California. It's a cultural and financial epicenter of Northern California, but right now it’s facing a job market that’s slowly recovering from mass layoffs in Big Tech.
Even with the economic hardships facing the city right now, people are still relocating to San Francisco from all over the world. Each year, the city attracts 25.8 million visitors. It's common to hear a wide range of languages spoken around San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods.

The Golden Gate City is popular with tech workers looking for jobs at Google, Lyft, Amazon, Meta, Salesforce, and more. You will also find many college students in the area attending universities like Stanford and UCSF. San Francisco’s Spanish roots are clear in both name and architecture. The city was founded in 1776 when Spanish colonists established the Presidio of San Francisco at the Golden Gate and Mission San Francisco de Asís. In 1849, the California Gold Rush drove the first major wave of big business to the city, making San Francisco the largest city on the West Coast. Nowadays, San Francisco is known for its hipster vibe, beatnik history, and technological roots.

Despite its many economic ups and downs, San Francisco has developed a reputation for staying strong. During the Great Depression, none of the city’s banks failed. In fact, that’s when the city built both the Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland Bay Bridge. San Francisco's cable cars are also the only National Historical Monument that can move.

San Francisco is also diverse, drawing visitors and new residents alike from around the globe. Visit North Beach’s Little Italy for Italian-influenced architecture and authentic cuisine, or the historic Chinatown for great shopping and even greater dim sum. Fun fact: Chinese fortune cookies were first invented at Golden Gate Park's Tea Garden by a Japanese family.

2. Cost of Living in San Francisco

Living in San Francisco is pricier than many west coast cities like San Diego, although it is comparable to other areas, like New York City. The Frisco lifestyle doesn't come cheap. According to Payscale, the cost of living in San Francisco is 79% higher than the national average. Housing is 207% higher than the national average. Depending on your salary, the lifestyle and beauty San Francisco offers may be worth the trade-off.

Here's an idea of how much things cost when moving to San Francisco, as reported by Payscale:

• Energy bill: $234.11
• Loaf of bread: $5.09
• Doctor's visit: $163.63
• Gallon of Gas: $4.70

San Francisco's notoriously high rents will likely take up the most significant part of your budget. The average rent in San Francisco rose to $2,718 for a one-bedroom apartment and $3,221 for a two-bedroom apartment. Overall rents are declining around 1%, but it;s still incredibly expensive to live in San Francisco, especially without a roommate or partner to split bills. To live comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, your income should be at least $97,200 per year or $46.73 per hour. For a two-bedroom apartment, you'll need to earn at least $115,000 per year or $55.29 per hour.

The median income in San Francisco is currently $135,639, as reported by the Census Bureau in 2019. By comparison, the median income is $91,905 in the rest of California.

Median income estimates are different from the recommended basic living wage. Living above the poverty threshold in San Francisco requires $28 per hour for a single individual working full-time. You'll need to find a well-paying job or start some side hustles to afford an upscale apartment and nightlife San Francisco has to offer.

3. Who's Moving to San Francisco?

San Francisco is a global epicenter. While the majority of people moving into the city are from other areas of California, a lot of folks come from all over the world. According to Apartment List's 2021 migration report, the highest percentage of people moving to San Francisco were from San Jose, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.

Learn more about moving to a new state.

4. The Job Market and Economy in San Francisco

Silicon Valley is a central tech hub with major players like Google and Apple. Salesforce is the city's largest private employer. You can also find work at LinkedIn, Meta, and X. With such a strong tech presence, it's easy to see why San Francisco is the 6th largest economy in the US.

There are more job opportunities in San Francisco than just tech. The city is a significant banking and finance center known as the "Wall Street of the West." Employers include the Federal Reserve Bank of SF, Wells Fargo HQ, and Bank of America. Medical and Healthcare professions are major employers throughout the city, with many prominent hospitals and labs drawing top candidates to the West Coast. If you’re in the food industry, San Francisco has a thriving culinary scene, with many award-winning restaurants and chefs firing up local eats.

You can also work for public companies, including the city government and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

5. San Francisco Weather

The Golden Gate City is known for weather that can change from overcast and rainy to sunny and hot several times on any given day. San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate that's wet with mild winters and warm, dry summers. It's not as hot as Southern California, and fog, which locals lovingly nicknamed “Karl,” is the norm.

Layers are a must anywhere you go in the city. San Francisco's coldest month is January, where temperatures dip to a 46.4°F-degree average overnight. The hottest temperatures come during September, where temperatures around 71.3-degrees are typical.

6. Public Transportation in San Francisco

Yes, San Francisco is an expensive city – but one way to cut costs? Ditch the car. Given the amount of traffic in San Francisco, you probably won’t want to use it anyway. The good news is you really don't need a car to get around the city. Save yourself time and money with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the city's subway service, which stretches from Oakland to the East Bay.

The Muni offers streetcars, buses, and underground train services. Locals take the CalTrain from San Jose to South Bay. To get around on public transportation, you'll need a Clipper Card for the transit system. Despite all of the public transportation options, San Francisco is still rooted in car culture, though not as much as Los Angeles. Rideshares on Lyft and Uber are available throughout San Francisco as well.

Expect to spend about $4,900 on transportation as a single adult while families of two working adults and a child need at least $8,987.

7. Best San Francisco Neighborhoods

San Francisco’s neighborhoods range from upscale to hippie historical and transitional. Here are some of the best San Francisco neighborhoods to choose from.

Nob Hill

Nob Hill retains the heir of wealth from its past. It was once home to the mansions of railroad barons and features an expensive hotel and a Gothic-style Grace Cathedral. Now, it’s also home to luxury shopping, a treasure trove of Michelin-starred restaurants, and stunning art galleries.

Outer Sunset

Outer Sunset rests on the western shore of San Francisco. You'll find single-family homes, older apartment buildings, and commercial strips. The neighborhood is famous for its surfing culture, as well as great walking and biking trails alongside Ocean Beach. Foodies also love the neighborhood’s affordable but locally-sourced eateries, where you can get everything from lumpias to tacos to bagels to fish sandwiches.

Pacific Heights

Pacific Heights has stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, Alcatraz, and the Presidio. Its scenic situation comes at a cost: it’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., with prominent homes, modern and historic, including a Queen Anne Victorian from 1886. Renters looking to stay connected to the best-in-class shops, dining, facilities, galleries, and amenities will love this area, especially the hilltop parks and clean-swept streets dotted with lively pubs and cafes.

Mission District

The Mission District is a trend-setting neighborhood, and home of Latino roots with a hipster vibe. You'll find tattoo parlors, Dolores Park, and vibrant murals alongside lively nightclubs. If you’re willing to wait in line for some of the best food in the country, find an apartment by 20th Street, where you’ll find folks from all over the city flocking to get fresh bread, seafood, cheesecake and specialty cocktails.

South of Market (SoMa)

South of Market, or SoMa, is home to Mission Bay and South Beach, where the Giants play at the waterfront stadium. Close to the financial district and Big Tech headquarters, You’ll find state-of-the-art museums, upscale dining, and nightclubs in new buildings and warehouse-turned venues.

Read more about the best San Francisco neighborhoods.

8. San Francisco Food & Drink Scene

San Francisco is no stranger to culinary delights and world cuisines. Each neighborhood has its own niche and flavor. North Beach is famous for its Italian food. Fior d'Italia is the oldest Italian restaurant in America and features traditional Northern Italy recipes with cheesy, cream-based dishes and soups.

The Mission District is the place to go for taquerias and homestyle Mexican food. Don't be fooled by small, market-style eateries without fanfare. Taquería El Farolito and La Taqueria serve oversized burritos and quesadillas to hungry crowds.

Head to Richmond and Sunset for Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Japanese dishes. The Terra Cotta Warrior serves hard-to-find Shaanxi cuisine with lamb dishes, noodles, and Chinese burgers made from Shaanxi-style pita bread and meat. The Dumpling Specialist is famous for its pan-fried sheng Jian bao and northern Chinese breakfast specialties.

There are plenty of iconic food dishes that originated in San Francisco, like sourdough French bread. Grab a loaf from Tartine Bakery. Bay shrimp and Dungeness crab are also favorites around the city.

Food events are very popular around San Francisco, such as the annual Craft Brew Festival & International Beer Festival. Ghirardelli Chocolate is headquartered in the Golden Gate City and hosts its own Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival.

For world fare with a twist, the Taste of Greece event serves up authentic pastries, wine tastings, and freshly made Spanakopita.

9. San Francisco Outdoors

Despite being a large urban center, San Francisco houses plenty of outdoor venues to choose from. Lands End Lookout is situated within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is renowned for its windswept shoreline. You'll find gorgeous views around every corner. Golden Gate Park features golfing, boating, sailing, and kitesurfing, and hiking.

Baker Beach is situated on the Presidio's western shoreline and features a public beach. Harbor porpoises play in the surf against views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands.

Ocean Beach borders the Pacific Ocean and lies adjacent to Golden Gate Park. Visitors walk along the Esplanade, and bonfires are allowed in designated areas along Ocean Beach.

Muir Woods is a short day trip from San Francisco and features towering, old-growth redwood trees. There are six miles of trails to explore and longer hikes that extend into Mount Tamalpais State Park.

You can even see redwoods without leaving the city. The San Francisco Botanical Garden, Transamerica Redwood Park, and Hoover Redwood Grove in Golden Gate Park all house towering redwood trees.

10. San Francisco Nightlife

San Francisco boasts a lively nightlife scene with clubs, venues, and quirky entertainment. The After Dark at the Exploratorium has a fog bridge, large-scale kaleidoscope, light displays, and a tactile dome. Imbibe while exploring on-site exhibits, screenings, and games for a unique evening experience.

Unleash your inner circus performer at the Circus Center. The training and performing arts center offers team-building events and camps for all ages.

Tear up the skate floor at the Church of 8 Wheels with classes, open skate times, and fitness programs. The funky roller rink sits inside an old church for a unique and inspirational setting.

San Francisco does everything with a twist. Go out for drinks at local drag shows, like the Peaches Christ at The Castro Theatre. Citywide art exhibits, movies, bars, and speakeasies are readily available.

11. San Francisco Art

San Francisco has long been known for its counterculture and mainstream art scene. Haight Ashbury is still awash with the counterculture vibe at galleries like Love on Haight and Haight Street Art Center. Past exhibits included "A Psychedelic Poster Journey Living in the Past."

The Asian Art Museum boasts one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world with over 18,000 works of art dating back 6,000 years. The Legion of Honor is part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

The museum’s location perched on an elevated site in Lincoln Park is a fabulous place to see city views and the nearby Golden Gate Bridge. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art holds contemporary and modern art. It was the first on the West Coast devoted exclusively to 20th-century artwork.

Beyond the arts and culture scene, San Francisco is also rich with history and waterfront attractions. Fort Point National Historic Site sits at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay and is a masonry seacoast fortification. Alcatraz Island sat 1.25 miles offshore from the city and was developed for use as a lighthouse, military fortification, and prison. You can still tour the historic jail today.

12. San Francisco Family Attractions

Cue the Full House theme song, everybody. San Francisco may come with some urban grit, but it is still a classic family-friendly place with tons for kids to explore. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is the perfect stop for selfies and a nearby hike. While you're at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, stop by the Bay Area Discovery Museum. The children's museum is at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Mission Dolores Park encompasses 16-acres and is one of the city's most popular parks.

The Randall Museum is a perfect spot to learn more about animals, science, and nature. Live animal exhibits and classes are available for all ages. The Children's Creativity Museum is an interactive museum for kids ages 2 to 12, inspiring hands-on expression with multimedia arts and technology.

The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre zoo located between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean. The zoo houses over a thousand animals across 250 species, perfect for an affordable afternoon outing.

13. San Francisco Annual Events

You’ll never be bored in San Francisco. The city, and many of its neighborhoods, host annual and year-round events, like the colorful Cherry Blossom Festival and Grand Parade.Bright blossoms wash over the city while the festival brings authentic eats, crafts, and live performances. The San Francisco International Film Festival screens global films and works of both up-and-coming and renowned filmmakers. It's one of the most significant events in the Bay Area.

You can also hear live music at some of San Francisco's most popular festivals. The Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival is held annually at Golden Gate Park.

Celebrate San Francisco's diverse and inclusive roots at the Castro Street Fair where the LGBTQ+ community and supporters gather to encourage inclusiveness and togetherness.

Marathon runners from around the world join the San Francisco Marathon, an annual USATF-certified event that includes crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.

14. San Francisco Sports

San Francisco is also a sports town where you can root for teams like the NBA's Golden State Warriors, which plays at the city's Chase Center. The NFL's celebrated 49ers play at Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara. You can also root for the MLB's San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics.

15. Universities in San Francisco

Higher education opportunities are never far away in San Francisco. The prestigious Stanford University is known for its engineering, computer and informational sciences, its medical programs, as well as for its liberal arts. UC Berkeley offers a renowned engineering and natural science program. It was also home to the 1960s Free Speech Movement, and its students are known for their on-campus activism.

The University of San Francisco is a Jesuit university with programs in nursing, health, applied economics, and more. It's set between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park on 55-acres for stunning views. The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is a place for health science with a focus on medical and biological research.

Final Thoughts - Should You Move to San Francisco?

San Francisco is an ideal location for students, young professionals, and anyone looking for the west coast living with a global feel. Although rents are high, the lifestyle may be worth the trade-off. If San Francisco isn't quite for you, learn about the surrounding cities that are still a car ride away!

Ready to move to San Francisco? Learn about how to find an apartment in San Francisco and start apartment hunting with Apartment List.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the weather like in San Francisco?

The weather in San Francisco is generally warm, and the climate is considered Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and wet, mild winters. As the city is located in Northern California, you won’t be basking in famed Southern California heat.

What’s the time zone in San Francisco?

San Francisco’s time zone is Pacific Standard/Daylight Time (PST and/or PDT) depending on the time of year. It is also Greenwich Mean Time - 8 (GMT-8), which is three hours behind New York City.

What to do in San Francisco?

There are many things to do in San Francisco, including high-quality restaurants, several major league sports teams, museums, zoos, and more. If you’re looking for some family fun recreation, catch a Warriors game or head to the Discovery Museum.

What county is San Francisco in?

San Francisco is a city within San Francisco County. The high population of the city of San Francisco makes the county one of the largest in the US.

What are the benefits of moving to San Francisco?

The benefits of moving to San Francisco are plentiful, including the city’s incredible public transportation system, sprawling outdoor green spaces, many job opportunities across various industries, and the opportunity to live in one of the biggest cities in the world. In short, moving to San Francisco offers a ton of benefits!

What are the pros and cons of living in San Francisco?

The pros of living in San Francisco include mild weather, excellent infrastructure, great public transportation, many green spaces, and tons of attractions and recreation options. The cons of living in San Francisco include the city’s high cost of living, density, and taxes. That said, every city has its pros and cons, you just have to decide what works best for you!

What’s the best neighborhood to move to in San Francisco?

The five best neighborhoods in San Francisco are Nob Hill, Outer Sunset, Pacific Heights, The Mission District, and South of Market (SoMa). Of course, there are other impressive San Francisco neighborhoods that may be a good match for you, so do your homework before making a final decision!

What’s it like living in San Francisco?

San Francisco offers residents a taste of what it’s like to live in a diverse cultural hub that boasts something new on every street corner. San Francisco’s streets are always bustling and with nearly 900,000 residents that’s not surprising. You’ll find an interesting mix of tech superstars, eccentric artists, and tons of college students when living in San Francisco.

What are the taxes in San Francisco?

As of 2021, San Francisco’s effective city and county sales tax rate sits at 8.625%. The state’s income tax is levied on a sliding scale that will depend on your income.

What jobs are popular in San Francisco?

Tech jobs are among the most popular jobs in San Francisco, with companies like Google, Salesforce, and Lyft. That said, jobs within the education industry (San Francisco is packed with higher education institutions) are also popular.

What universities are in San Francisco?

There are several universities in San Francisco, the most popular of which include the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco State University (SFSU), and the University of San Francisco (USF). Other institutions include the City College of San Francisco, a premier community college, and many higher education institutions. Be prepared to see a lot of college students.

What are things to do in San Francisco?

There are plenty of things to do in San Francisco, whether you like dancing the night away at a popular nightclub or prefer spending your time exploring art. Or, if you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, the San Francisco food scene won’t disappoint. Finding something to do in San Francisco can be challenging, solely because you have too many options.