City guide
🇺🇸 Living in San Francisco
The heart of the US tech industry, with the highest salaries in the country, set against one of the most expensive housing markets anywhere
At a glance
Net salary calculator
Calculate your take-home pay in San Francisco with our detailed tax calculator.
Calculate net salary →Cost of living
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €3,143/mo |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €2,386/mo |
| Groceries (single) | €389/mo |
| Groceries (family) | €973/mo |
| Transport pass | €78/mo |
| Restaurant (2 people, mid-range) | €104 |
| Coffee | €5.00 |
| Gym membership | €117/mo |
| Healthcare | The US has no public health system for working-age residents; coverage is employer-sponsored private insurance. The visible employee payroll contribution averages around 100 euros per month for single cover, but the full premium is far higher and significant deductibles and copays apply |
Budget calculator
Build a detailed monthly budget for San Francisco based on your lifestyle.
Build your budget →Why choose San Francisco?
The densest tech and AI ecosystem in the world, with venture capital, startups, and big-tech headquarters
The highest professional salaries in the US, especially in software and engineering
A compact, walkable core served by Muni and BART, close to Silicon Valley
Outdoor culture: coast, parks, and wine country within easy reach
English-speaking, with deep international and immigrant communities
No city income tax, though California's state tax is high
Quality of life
Moving to San Francisco : checklist
- 1 Secure US work authorization first: most expats arrive on an employer-sponsored visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1, or E-2); there is no digital-nomad route
- 2 Understand the tax stack: California has high, progressive state income tax on top of federal, but no city income tax
- 3 Brace for housing costs: a one-bedroom in the city averages around 3,140 euros per month, the Bay Area's defining expense
- 4 Arrange health insurance through your employer; the US has no public system for working-age residents
- 5 Get a Clipper card for Muni, BART, and regional transit
- 6 Open a US bank account and start building a US credit history early
- 7 Note that much of the tech workforce lives across the wider Bay Area, so factor in commute and BART or Caltrain access
Frequently asked questions
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