Buy vs Rent in San Francisco, CA (2026)
Median home price $1.2M · 1BR rent $3,600/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 27.8x.
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $42,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $7,704/mo | $7,185/mo | $6,387/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $1,100/mo | $1,100/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $500/mo | $500/mo | $500/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $1,000/mo | $1,000/mo | $1,000/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $10,304vs rent: +$6,704/mo | $9,785vs rent: +$6,185/mo | $8,987vs rent: +$5,387/mo |
| Income to qualify | $330,171/yr | $307,929/yr | $273,729/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~2 yrs | ~4 yrs |
While renting, grow your down payment faster
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San Francisco housing context
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in San Francisco?
With a price-to-rent ratio of 27.8x, renting is often more cost-effective in San Francisco in the short term. Buying makes more sense if you plan to stay 7+ years and can make a larger down payment.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in San Francisco?
With a median home price of $1.2M in San Francisco, you'd need an annual income of roughly $273,729 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $307,929/year.
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only