2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Francisco, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, California as of July 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $4,401 and +105% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than San Francisco.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City, CA | 6.9 mi | $3,185 | $-205 (-6%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 8.2 mi | $3,110 | $-280 (-8%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 8.4 mi | $4,210 | +$820 (+24%) |
| Alameda, CA | 9.7 mi | $2,720 | $-670 (-20%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 10 mi | $2,860 | $-530 (-16%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 10.3 mi | $3,570 | +$180 (+5%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 10.4 mi | $3,190 | $-200 (-6%) |
| Albany, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,680 | $-710 (-21%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 12.2 mi | $4,070 | +$680 (+20%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 12.3 mi | $2,654 | $-736 (-22%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 12.3 mi | $3,310 | $-80 (-2%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 12.4 mi | $4,040 | +$650 (+19%) |
2-Bedroom rent in San Francisco — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in San Francisco, California is $3,390 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $4,401.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in San Francisco?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $135,600 ($11,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $65.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Francisco expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Francisco's 2-bedroom median of $3,390 is +105% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Francisco rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, San Francisco ranks #318 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near San Francisco?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Daly City ($3,185), South San Francisco ($3,110), Alameda ($2,720).