100 Best Apartments in San Francisco, CA (with reviews)

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Apartments in Potrero Hill $3,442
Apartments in Pacific Heights $2,757
Apartments in Bernal Heights $3,145
Apartments in South Beach $3,814
Apartments in North Waterfront $3,341
Apartments in Pine Lake Park $3,140
Apartments in South of Market $3,442
Apartments in Tenderloin $2,626
Apartments in Van Ness - Civic Center $2,626

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Average rent in San Francisco, CA

$3,267/mo San Francisco, CA average rental price, November 2023

The average monthly rent of apartments in San Francisco, CA is $3,267.

San Francisco, CA apartment rent ranges

San Francisco, CA rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in San Francisco by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,718, the average rent in San Francisco, CA is $3,267.

Local Guides for Renters

San Francisco’s Best Parks for Renters

Whether you’re a visitor or one of the many renters scouring for the perfect apartments for rent in San Francisco, there’s an array of parks awaiting you: Golden Gate Park; Grandview Park; Mission Dolores Park; Balboa Park; Alamo Square Park; Huntington Park; Rincon Park and Salesforce Park. San Francisco is famous for its beaches, history, […]

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San Francisco’s Best Beaches for Renters

San Francisco offers renters a unique opportunity to enjoy a different side of the city – its stunning beaches. While these beaches may not boast the classic Californian sun-soaked shores, they hold their own charm and allure. Whether you’re a visitor or in search of rental apartments in San Francisco, these beach destinations should not […]

The post San Francisco’s Best Beaches for Renters appeared first on RentCafe rental blog.

Top 8 Best Neighborhoods for Renters in San Francisco

San Francisco, renowned for its vibrant history and scenic beauty, is a top destination for renters eager to experience the Californian dream. As you explore options for rental apartments in San Francisco, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with its unique neighborhoods: Haight & Ashbury; SoMa; Chinatown; North Beach; Russian Hill; The Mission District; Noe Valley […]

The post Top 8 Best Neighborhoods for Renters in San Francisco appeared first on RentCafe rental blog.

Getting around in San Francisco, CA

76 /100

Very Walkable

73 /100

Excellent Transit

68 /100

Bikeable

Walk Score®: 76, Transit Score®: 73, Bike Score®: 68

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in San Francisco, CA last updated?

Prices and availability in San Francisco, CA were last updated on 30 Oct 2024.

What are the best apartments in San Francisco, CA?

The best apartments in San Francisco, CA are: Olivertest, DNC The Iris Residence, Home 16 Region 03, REGOLE3 and Home 15 Region 03.

What is the average rent in San Francisco, CA?

The average rent in San Francisco, CA is $3,700. Start your search for apartments in San Francisco, CA now.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in San Francisco, CA?

The price range for a studio apartment in San Francisco, CA is between $1,371 and $4,056. View all studio apartments in San Francisco, CA.

What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA?

The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA is between $100 and $3,000. Browse all available 1-bedroom apartments in San Francisco, CA now.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA is between $200 and $22,000. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA.

What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA?

The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA is between $222 and $4,056. Browse all available 3-bedroom apartments in San Francisco, CA.

What type of rental buildings are in San Francisco, CA?

In San Francisco, 61% of the residents are renting compared to 39% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 25% of San Francisco’s rentals, 69% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 7% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in San Francisco, CA?

The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city.  In this case, the apartment buildings in San Francisco are about 37 years old, on average. Of these, 46% have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 10 stories. About 39% of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, 46% are mid-rises, and 35% are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.

What apartment floorplans are common in San Francisco, CA?

Rental apartments in San Francisco come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 28% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 41% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 23% of all rentals in San Francisco. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

San Francisco, CA in the news

Location vs. Space: How Much Does the National Average Rent of $1,700 Stretch in Apartment Size by Zip Code

The northeastern curvature and city center’s limited space versus the more generous offerings of the southwestern neighborhoods underscore the varied lifestyles within San Francisco.

16.7 Million Americans Are Renting Alone; Salt Lake City Saw the Highest Surge

Renting alone in San Francisco requires a higher income than in Los Angeles ($73,329, on average). That’s approximately 25% higher than the average renter's income in the area.

The National Apartment Size Shrinking as Studios & 1-Bedroom Apartments Gain in Share

In San Francisco — where rental units are some of the smallest in the country — renters gained an extra 52 square feet (for a 7% increase) over the last decade, as the average size of apartments here went from 689 square feet in 2012 to 741 square feet in 2022.

Millionaires Who Rent Triple, While High-Income Renters Earning $150,000 or More Reach 2.6 Million

San Francisco saw the biggest spike in millionaire renter households in recent years, growing from 17 households in 2015 to a total of 294 households in 2020. That said, the number of millionaire renter households in San Francisco multiplied by a whopping 17 times — or 1,629% — during that timeframe.

Rental Competitivity in California in 2022: Orange County Tops the List

San Francisco Peninsula-North Bay was the California market where it was easiest to rent an apartment during the 2022 peak rental season. The market was 20.3% less competitive in the summer months than it was in the first part of the year.

Living in San Francisco, CA

Home of the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, San Francisco is a large and lively city on the northern California coastline. More precisely, it's about 88 miles southwest of Sacramento - the state capital - and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Strait. In addition to world-famous attractions (like The Golden Gate Bridge and Ocean Beach), renters are attracted to careers within the finance; real estate; information and technology; health care; hospitality and entertainment; education and transportation industries.

San Francisco boasts picturesque parks like Golden Gate Park and the Presidio. Its dynamic arts scene, historic cable cars, and diverse neighborhoods, from the lively Castro to the serene Sea Cliff, embody the city's unique blend of tradition and innovation. San Francisco is also known for its California-style cuisines using fresh and local ingredients), as well as seafood, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Ethiopian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Italian and Indian restaurants. For renters with children, the San Francisco Unified School District is the seventh-largest school district in California.

Renting in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco rentals vary in style and architecture depending on the neighborhood. For instance, the South of Market neighborhood, also known as SOMA, has urban loft apartments for rent along with Contemporary-style condo rentals with brick, timber and concrete designs. Renters in SOMA are also close to BART stations, as well as museums, such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Children's Creativity Museum. Meanwhile, the apartments for rent in the affluent Marina District are near trendy nightclubs, bars and breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, thereby making them popular for young renters. Or, the large, single-family houses for rent in The Sunset District are close to Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park and San Francisco Zoo, while high-rise luxury apartment rentals are in the Castro District. Otherwise, for affordable rentals, there are single-family houses for rent in Richmond District that often include garage parking.

Shopping in San Francisco, CA

With a large movie theater and department store lineups from Apple, Zara, H&M, Banana Republic, Bare Minerals, Aveda and more, the Stonestown Galleria on 20th Avenue is the most popular shopping mall when renting in San Francisco. However, for high-end shopping, renters go to Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's at Westfield San Francisco Centre Mall. Or, the apartments for rent in Chinatown are closest to stores selling exotic teas, herbs, art and jewelry, whereas the Mission District is where renters will find everything from home furniture to luxury candle stores. Notably, Haight-Ashbury has stores with 1960s fashion and memorabilia like Relic and Held Over. Renters also go to Hayes Valley for shoes at Allbirds, leather goods at Paloma Hayes, and clothing at Away and Outdoor Voices. Some common grocery store brands when renting in San Francisco include Whole Foods, Cal-Mart and Trader Joe's.

Transportation in San Francisco, CA

Many renters choose to circumvent San Francisco's traffic congestion and limited parking by taking The Muni - a network of buses, trains, cable cars and a trolley. In fact, renters can download an app provided by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) called MuniMobile to handle payment and scheduling. Specifically, the F-Line trolley takes renters on a four-mile route from Market Street to Fisherman's Wharf. Renters can also explore downtown in cable cars using the Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and California Street routes. Or, when visiting The Presidio (a famous national park), renters take a free shuttle called The PresidGo. Alternatively, the Golden Gate Ferry takes renters to Angel Island State Park, Larkspur, Sausalito and Tiburon; the Giants Ferry takes renters to Oracle Park and the Chase Center; and the San Francisco Bay Ferry takes renters to Alameda, Oakland, Richmond, Treasure and Vallejo. Finally, when booking a flight, renters have the San Francisco International Airport.

Look for apartments near me

Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in San Francisco, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse San Francisco, CA apartments with rents starting from $150 and submit your rental application today!

Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!

STUDIO	$150
1 BED	$250
2 BEDS	Ask for Pricing

1 BED	$500
2 BEDS	$8,000

1 BED	$5,000
2 BEDS	$780+

1 BED	$750+
2 BEDS	$950+

1 BED	$1,500
2 BEDS	$2,000
3 BEDS	$2,500

Apartments for Rent in San Francisco, CA 420 Rentals Available

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