1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South San Francisco, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in South San Francisco, California as of July 2026. That's +36% lower than the citywide median of $4,084 and +87% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in South 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 South San Francisco
Compare South 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 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 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 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 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? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than South San Francisco.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs South San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bruno, CA | 2.2 mi | $2,670 | +$60 (+2%) |
| Daly City, CA | 3.6 mi | $2,670 | +$60 (+2%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 4.1 mi | $3,410 | +$800 (+31%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 5.1 mi | $2,770 | +$160 (+6%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,445 | $-165 (-6%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,842 | +$232 (+9%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 10.2 mi | $3,100 | +$490 (+19%) |
| Foster City, CA | 12.7 mi | $3,820 | +$1,210 (+46%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,540 | $-70 (-3%) |
| Belmont, CA | 12.9 mi | $3,090 | +$480 (+18%) |
| Alameda, CA | 12.9 mi | $2,230 | $-380 (-15%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 15.1 mi | $2,970 | +$360 (+14%) |
1-Bedroom rent in South San Francisco — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in South San Francisco?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in South San Francisco, California is $2,610 per month. This is +36% below the citywide median of $4,084.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in South San Francisco?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $104,400 ($8,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is South San Francisco expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South San Francisco's 1-bedroom median of $2,610 is +87% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South San Francisco rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, South San Francisco ranks #295 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near South San Francisco?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Burlingame ($2,445), Half Moon Bay ($2,540), Alameda ($2,230).