San Franciso is one of the most popular cities, not only in California but in the United States in general. Many people say living in San Francisco would be a dream. However, SF is also one of the cities with the highest rate of outbound moves, as well as CA in general. One of the main reasons are high living costs, especially the fact that California has the highest tax rate in the USA. Reliable moving and storage San Francisco companies really work hard when it comes to relocating people out of this area. Nevertheless, San Francisco has a lot to offer, and there are excellent education and job opportunities. When you know how to navigate the cost of living in San Francisco, being there really
dream.
The cost of living in San Francisco: Housing
When you decide to relocate and start a new life in a different city or state, the housing cost is something that you are most certainly interested in, and those are one of the crucial points for you to decide where to live.
- The median rent in San Francisco is $3,313.
- The median home price is $1,502,557.
- The average mortgage rate is 4.59%.
We have already mentioned that CA has some of the highest taxes. When you want to calculate the property tax rate in SF, you should know that it is usually 1% of the property’s assessed value. However, you must add o,25% of the local taxes. So, when you own a property, your taxes are the value of the home multiplied by 1.25%.
The cost of living in SF neighborhoods
The housing expenses will be different in different San Francisco neighborhoods. If we want to focus on rental prices, for instance, they can vary greatly. In Corte Madera, the average rent is $4,362. There are some more affordable neighborhoods, such as South Bay, Redwood City, Menlo Park, and Mountain View, where the average rent is approximately $4,000. Some of the most affordable neighborhoods are Alameda and San Leandro, where you can rent a studio apartment for $2,000 a month. You can research these areas well and make your decision. However, if you suddenly change your mind, there is also a solution. Reliable last minute movers San Francisco offers will be at your disposal, and they will help you with your move.
The transportation costs
People in SF spend a lot of time in transit, so it is expected that their monthly budget is in great measure affected by these costs. When it comes to public transportation, there is the San Francisco Muni system. It includes buses, light rail metro trains, street cars, and cable cars. The highest you can pay is $98 for an adult monthly unlimited pass. If you have The Clipper M Pass, you get a discount and rides on the Muni system for $81. BART, or the Bay Area Rapid Transit, has fares from $3.20 to $10.35. When it comes to Caltrain, the fair is usually around $7.5. If you want to know more about public transit in SF, you can always read more on the SFMTA website and decide which means of transportation you want to use.
If you own a car, you should know that you have to pay $4.801 a gallon of gas. The car insurance costs depend on the type of car. Nevertheless, the average cost is $54 per month or $653 per year. Also, you will often have to pay the parking, which is from 2 to 6 dollars per hour or 10 to 15 dollars a day. And if you don’t want to travel by car, you can always rent a bike, and the membership costs are $5 per month.
Food and groceries cost in San Francisco
Food and groceries are among the most critical factors affecting the cost of living in San Francisco. The average cost of food in San Francisco is $36 per day. If you want to dine out in San Francisco, you usually spend around $15 per person.
When it comes to buying food, the cost of some of the basic groceries are:
- Milk $1.54
- Bread $4.81
- Rice $5.62
- Eggs $5.42
- Local cheese $19.09
- Cooking $7.42
- Frozen meal $3.92
- Potato chips $3.38
- Soft drink $2.27
Of course, these are all the average prices. Some of these items will cost less in specialty stores, while in small local stores, they can cost more.
Utility costs in SF
Compared to prices in other cities, San Francisco residents pay less for their utilities since central heating and air conditioning are rarely needed. Basic utilities can be covered for tenants for a reasonably cheap monthly fee of about $150. An average monthly increase of $70 results from adding the internet. When it comes to phone costs, they are somewhat high, and they are usually $201.38 per month. If you are relocating your business with office movers San Francisco provides, you must know that utilities can double, depending on the size of your office.
The cost of healthcare
Healthcare costs include the treatment in a hospital and the cost of regular medicine and painkillers. For example, a routine doctor’s appointment will cost $174.07. If you visit a dentist, you will have to pay $148.07. Buying a medicine such as Ibuprofen costs $12.52.
The difference in price in local hospitals and clinics
Regarding health costs, there is a great difference between being taken care of in a local hospital and a clinic. Some examples are cataract removal, where the price can vary from $1,400 to $3,800. Then, for instance, hip replacement costs between $19,400 and $53,200. Or, if there is a regular ultrasound, it can cost $170 or $430.
The costs of education
The education costs in SF vary greatly and depend on many factors. There is a difference between the local and public schools; it depends on the level of education, etc. For example, before going to high school, parents pay the following tuition:
- Preschool & Kindergarten (3 – 6 years) $36,650
- Elementary School (1st – 5th grade) $36,650
- Middle School (6th-8th grade) $38,950
Public and private colleges
Some average expenses college students have are $4,610 for tuition if they are state residents. The tuition is $28,450 for out-of-state residents. The cost per credit hour is $1,071. Living on campus costs $17,824, and students living off-campus have living expenses of $19,891. Among private California colleges, Glendale Career College charges the most tuition and fees ($76,757), while Trinity School of Health and Allied Sciences charges the lowest ($930). When it comes to public colleges, the University of California-San Diego has the highest tuition and fees at $44,978, while Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education has the lowest at $1,665.
Tutoring costs in SF
If a child needs a tutor, that will also be one of the higher monthly expenses. If you find a student as a tutor, their rates can vary between $10 and $2o per hour. However, if you want a certified teacher with experience, you must pay between $35 and $100. Most tutors have rates of $55 and $65 per hour. Regarding extracurricular activities, depending on what they are, the approximate cost is around $1700 a month per kid. Of course, if your child goes to music school, for instance, and if, while relocating, you need to move their instrument as well, you need to count in the cost of piano movers San Francisco offers since that will be important for their extracurricular activities.
Lifestyle and entertainment
Depending on what you are keen on, the cost of living in San Francisco is affected by recreation and entertainment in a great measure. For instance, if you are a gym member or recreate in parks, pay entrance to specific beaches, etc., you will need approximately $1811 monthly. If you wish to visit museums in San Francisco, you must pay between $19 and $25 per visit. The good news is that children under 18 don’t pay for tickets. Theater ticket prices are $15 on average while attending concerts can cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the place and the artist.
What are some budgeting tips and strategies when you want to save up in San Francisco
There are many ways to save up, even in San Francisco, where the costs are incredibly high. First, if you are a college student, live in a dorm, or find a roommate. Also, when it comes to education, everyone can apply for different programs where they can get a free tuition fee, or at least they won’t have to pay an entire sum. When you want to enjoy eating out, use happy hours, meal discounts, or any other convenience you hear about. This is the case with entertainment as well. If you are going to the gym, pay close attention to the discounts and pay your membership then. There are many ways to save up in San Francisco; you just need to know where to look.
Living in SF is costly but worth it
We have mentioned all the major costs in San Francisco, so if you want to relocate there, you know how to plan your budget. Many aspects of life are expensive, and it is not easy to navigate your budget with the high cost of living in San Francisco. However, when you know what to expect, you can plan your budget, decide on priorities, and use all the discounts and free opportunities you can get.
