Moving to San Francisco in 2024? Complete Moving Guide

Planning to move to San Francisco?

A beautiful and vibrant city on the coast of California which is known for its iconic landmarks like Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. If you are thinking of moving to San Francisco then you should learn about the city in detail as surprises in a new city can be challenging. Several things you must be aware of about the city include the cost of living in San Francisco which is very high and the economy of the city is also strong. The city is home to several tech companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook. The city has some popular neighborhoods with Michelin-starred restaurants serving world-class food. Being a relatively small city, San Francisco offers great space for walking and biking. Throughout the year, you can enjoy various cultural celebrations and festivals. One of the prime features of San Francisco is its liberal politics. This is a brief about the city but is this enough information to decide the relocation and find options for living in San Francisco? The answer is no and to provide all the details in one place, we have prepared this guide.

• Quick Facts of San Francisco
• Top reasons to move to San Francisco
• Pros & Cons of Living in San Francisco
• Best Neighborhoods in the San Francisco
• Cost of living in San Francisco
• San Francisco job market
• Major industries in San Francisco
• Top Career Options in San Francisco
• Best things to do in San Francisco
• Education System in San Francisco
• Type of insurance required in San Francisco
• Taxes in San Francisco

Source: San Francisco Planning Department

So, find the best neighborhood to make a home in a new city. In this section, we have listed some best neighborhoods in San Francisco-

Source: San Francisco Travel Board: https://www.sftravel.com/neighborhoods

Currently, the cost of living in San Francisco is 79% higher than the national average. This means the cost of all the amenities is 79% more than it is in the US as a while.

Source: Numbeo

Housing Market in San Francisco 

The housing market in San Francisco is somewhat competitive. The median home price in San Francisco is $1.3M and according to Redfin, the home prices have declined by 5.4%. Since last year, the housing market of San Francisco has cooled down and the major factors contributing to the slow sales are rising interest rates, economic uncertainty and inflation. 

Source: Redfin, October 2023

Average rental cost in San Francisco

The average rental cost in San Francisco is $3,336 per month according to the latest report provided by RentCafe in November 2023. This value is significantly higher than the national average rent of $2,036 per month. Several factors affect the average rental cost in the city including the age of the building, the location of the property, and amenities provided.

Source: RentCafe, November 2023

The job market of the city is flourishing with the presence of several industries. According to the reports, the tech industry in San Francisco is the major employer while other industries also contribute to the economic growth.

Source: Glassdoor Job Market Report, November 2023

In this section of our guide, we have provided different data and details about the job market in San Francisco.

Source: Indeed, November 2023

Median Salary in San Francisco

The median salary in San Francisco is $119,136 and this is due to the high cost of living in the city so that the employer can live comfortably.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Source: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Source: TripAdvisor

Source: US News & World Report

Transportation & Navigation in San Francisco

The transportation system in San Francisco is comprehensive which includes trains, buses, cable cars, and more. There are various bike-sharing and scooter-sharing programs. The city is highly walkable and bikeable, so you can get around the city while enjoying the sights.

Public transportation- San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MUNI) operates the public transportation system in San Francisco. It maintains the operations of buses all over the city, two light rail lines and one subway line, cable cars for tourists and ferries to different destinations.

Bikes sharing program - Several bike-sharing and scooter-sharing programs are active in the city. You can rent bikes and scooters for short terms and easily commute anywhere in the city.

Navigation- San Francisco is easy to navigate as it has a grid system of streets. If you want to avoid driving a car in the city, you can find various public transportation. For easy navigation across the city, you can use a handout paper map or a map available on your smartphone.

Source: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MUNI)

Auto Insurance- All the drivers in San Francisco are required to have this type of insurance. The minimum requirement for auto insurance is- Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident; and Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance- All the employers in San Francisco have to buy worker’s compensation insurance. This type of insurance provides support to employees who get injured or ill on the job.

Homeowner Insurance- This type of insurance protects the homeowners from any loss or damage to the home or property due to any hazard, fire, theft, etc.

Renters Insurance- If you are a renter then you should buy this insurance. It will protect renters from any loss or damage to the house or personal belongings due to fire, theft, or any other cause.

Source: City and County of San Francisco, Department of Insurance

Income Tax- Residents of San Francisco pay California state income tax and San Francisco city income tax. Rates for California state income tax ranges from 1% to 13.3%. The rates for San Francisco city income tax ranges between 1.5% and 3.825%.

Sales Tax- In San Francisco, you have to pay state sales tax as well as local sales tax. The rates for sales tax are 8.5% which is a combined value of state sales tax (6.25%) 0 and local sales tax (2.25%).

Property Tax- If you own a property in San Francisco, then you have to pay property tax to the city and the county. The rates of property tax depend on the assessed value of the property.

Business Tax- All the businesses in San Francisco pay multiple taxes including a business license tax, gross receipt tax and a payroll tax.

Vehicle license fee- Vehicle owners in San Francisco pay a vehicle license fee to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The fee value depends on the value of the vehicle.

Hotel Tax- There is a 14% hotel tax in San Francisco which is applied to the room rate of all the hotels and motels in the city limit.

Source: City and County of San Francisco, Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector

FAQs

• 1. How can a moving checklist help during a move to San Francisco?

  Ans: A moving checklist can be an invaluable tool when relocating to San Francisco. The primary role of a moving checklist is to get all moving tasks organized. For a San Francisco move, it also boosts your motivation to manage the move by giving you a clear roadmap from start to finish. This will help you track the progress of your moving preparations. All the tasks can be done within the set timeline.

• 2. How does PODS City Service help avoid driving and parking a large moving truck in San Francisco?

  Ans: Moving container service is customized to combat the challenge of parking large moving trucks in urban areas. Our Moving Containers allow you to load your items directly into the container while they remain on the truck. Once the loading is complete, the moving container driver will transport your shipment to the new location. This approach ensures that you won't have to navigate a bulky moving truck through the busy and narrow streets of San Francisco.

• 3. What are the benefits of using PODS City Service for moving in urban areas like San Francisco?

  Ans: Benefits of Using Moving Containers for Urban Moves in San Francisco

  Streamlined Loading Process:
  Your moving container stays on the truck, which allows you to load your belongings directly from your home to the container.

  Flexible Storage Options:
  The moving container can be taken to a secure Moving Container Storage Unit and stored for as long as you need.

  Customized Delivery Options:
  There are versatile delivery options like getting your loaded container brought to your new place or if you have space to keep it overnight.

  Avoiding Tight Street Navigation:
  One of the biggest advantages is avoiding the trouble of driving a large moving truck through San Francisco’s narrow, crowded streets.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.