South San Francisco, CA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In South San Francisco, CA Summary

Cost of living in South San Francisco research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means South San Francisco is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in California, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in South San Francisco is 213, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in South San Francisco is 2.1x higher than the national average.

  • South San Francisco ranks as the #549 cheapest in California out of 634.

  • South San Francisco ranks as the #6,366 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in South San Francisco is $1,185,138.

  • The median income in South San Francisco is $135,909.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
213
South San Francisco's Overall Cost Of Living
2.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in South San Francisco, CA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, South San Francisco has an overall cost of living index of 213, which is 2.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to California, South San Francisco has a cost of living index that's 1.5x higher than California's index of 141.

The standard of living in South San Francisco ranks as #549 most affordable out of the 634 places we measured in California. By definition, that implies South San Francisco ranks as the #85 most expensive place in the Golden State.

For more reading on life in South San Francisco, check out:

549 out of 634
In California
6,366 out of 6,489
In America

South San Francisco Cost Of Living Vs. California

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in South San Francisco. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in South San Francisco is 120.

  • The Groceries index in South San Francisco is 121.

  • The Health index in South San Francisco is 126.

  • The Housing index in South San Francisco is 417.

  • The Transportation index in South San Francisco is 132.

  • The Utilities index in South San Francisco is 135.

Living Expense South San Francisco California National Average
Overall 213 141 100
Services 120 110 100
Groceries 121 112 100
Health 126 110 100
Housing 417 195 100
Transportation 132 125 100
Utilities 135 128 100
For more reading on cost of living around California, check out:
South San Francisco Cost of Living Vs. CA

South San Francisco, CA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in California, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in South San Francisco is $1,185,138.

  • The Median Rent in South San Francisco is $2,833.

  • The Median Income in South San Francisco is $135,909.

  • The Home Value To Income in South San Francisco is 8.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in South San Francisco is 0.25x.

Statistic South San Francisco California United States
Median Home Value $1,185,138 $763,287 $303,400
Median Rent $2,833 $1,956 $1,348
Median Income $135,909 $96,334 $78,538
Home Value To Income 8.7x 7.9x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.25x 0.24x 0.21x
$1,185,138
Median Home Value
$2,833
Median Rent
$135,909
Median Income

South San Francisco, CA Costs By Category

Detailed South San Francisco Services Costs Vs. California

Item South San Francisco California
Shampoo $1.65 $1.28
Movie $16.02 $12.13
Bowling $24.01 $18
Haircut $28.38 $24.26
Beauty Salon $85.43 $45.56

Detailed South San Francisco Groceries Costs Vs. California

Item South San Francisco California
Ground Beef $6.23 $5.84
Fried Chicken $2.11 $1.57
Milk $5.18 $4.67
Potatoes $4.98 $4.93
Pizza $15.74 $12.09
Beer $11.21 $10.41
Toothpaste $4.09 $3.7

Detailed South San Francisco Health Costs Vs. California

Item South San Francisco California
Optometrist $159.79 $125.68
Doctor $174.45 $135.78
Dentist $155.36 $113.29

Detailed South San Francisco Transportation Costs Vs. California

Item South San Francisco California
Gasoline $4.63 $3.46
Tire Balancing $75.33 $59.92

Detailed South San Francisco Utilities Costs Vs. California

Item South San Francisco California
All Electricity $298.77 $193.99
Phone $203.63 $192.25

South San Francisco SnackAbility

9
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
9/10
Housing
10
Affordability
3
Diversity
10
Safety
6
Amenities
10
Education
8
Commute
5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around South San Francisco

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around South San Francisco. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • San Mateo, CA has a cost of living index of 248, 1.2x South San Francisco.

  • San Bruno, CA has a cost of living index of 220, 1.0x South San Francisco.

  • Pacifica, CA has a cost of living index of 220, 1.0x South San Francisco.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. South San Francisco
San Mateo, CA 103,555 248 1.2x
San Bruno, CA 42,612 220 1.0x
Pacifica, CA 37,527 220 1.0x
Menlo Park, CA 32,775 334 1.6x
Burlingame, CA 30,526 336 1.6x
San Carlos, CA 29,797 311 1.5x
San Lorenzo, CA 29,453 170 0.8x
Belmont, CA 27,505 294 1.4x
Millbrae, CA 22,589 289 1.4x
North Fair Oaks, CA 13,327 214 1.0x

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