San Francisco Housing Market at a Glance
Median Home Price
$1,350,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,500
Property Tax Rate
0.74%
Avg Home Insurance
$1,900/yr
Price-to-Rent Ratio: 32.1x (Lower ratios favor buying; higher ratios favor renting)
San Francisco-Specific Insights
- → Despite high prices, SF's strong price appreciation historically can tip break-even analysis toward buying.
- → Tech sector volatility impacts both home prices and rental demand; plan for economic cycles.
Run Your San Francisco Scenario
Pre-filled with San Francisco's median data. Adjust to your situation.
Open Calculator with San Francisco Data →Key Factors for San Francisco Buyers
1. Down Payment Requirements
With San Francisco's median home price of $1,350,000, a 20% down payment is $270,000. Putting down less triggers PMI (typically 0.5–1.5% annually until you reach 20% equity).
2. Property Taxes
CA's property tax rate averages 0.74%, which translates to roughly $832.5/month on a median-priced home. This is below the national average.
3. Tax Deductions
Mortgage interest is deductible if you itemize (must exceed standard deduction: ~$14,600 single, ~$29,200 married in 2025). Combined with CA state taxes, itemizing may be worthwhile.
4. Opportunity Cost
If you rent and invest your down payment instead (e.g., S&P 500 averaging ~10% annually), you build wealth differently. The calculator models this trade-off month-by-month to find your break-even point.