1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Francisco, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, California as of October 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $4,784 and +104% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in San Francisco
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in San Francisco
Compare San Francisco's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than San Francisco.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,670 | $-172 (-6%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,610 | $-232 (-8%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.4 mi | $3,530 | +$688 (+24%) |
| Alameda, CA | 9.7 mi | $2,230 | $-612 (-22%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 10 mi | $2,350 | $-492 (-17%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,990 | +$148 (+5%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,670 | $-172 (-6%) |
| Albany, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,200 | $-642 (-23%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,410 | +$568 (+20%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 12.3 mi | $2,178 | $-664 (-23%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 12.3 mi | $2,770 | $-72 (-3%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,390 | +$548 (+19%) |
1-Bedroom rent in San Francisco — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in San Francisco, California is $2,842 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $4,784.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Francisco?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $113,680 ($9,473/month gross), which works out to roughly $54.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Francisco expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Francisco's 1-bedroom median of $2,842 is +104% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Francisco rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, San Francisco ranks #318 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near San Francisco?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Daly City ($2,670), South San Francisco ($2,610), Alameda ($2,230).