countyscore

San Francisco County, California — County Report Card

CA

#20 in California

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
42.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 99.6Health 97.5Weather & Climate 87.4

County Report Card

About San Francisco County, California

San Francisco slightly exceeds national livability median

San Francisco County scores 43.6 out of 100, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by only 6.4 points. The county ranks in the 47th percentile nationally, placing it in the middle tier for U.S. livability.

Outperforms California peers overall

San Francisco's 43.6 exceeds the California state average of 40.9, ranking it in the upper portion of the state's counties. Despite well-publicized challenges, the county performs better than most California regions on the composite livability index.

Unmatched income and health care define the county

San Francisco dominates with the nation's highest median household income of $141,446 (income score: 99.7) and the highest health score of 97.5, reflecting world-class healthcare and exceptional earning power. The water score of 86.0 and effective tax rate of 0.682% round out strong fundamentals.

Safety crisis and extreme housing costs plague residents

The safety score of just 1.1—lowest among these eight counties—signals severe crime and security concerns affecting daily life and neighborhood stability. Housing is catastrophically unaffordable with a cost score of 0.2, median home values at $1,380,500, and gross rent at $2,419, pricing out most households.

Best for wealthy professionals indifferent to safety

San Francisco suits ultra-high-income professionals, executives, and established entrepreneurs who can absorb extraordinary housing costs and accept elevated safety risks for world-class healthcare and prestige. Families with children or safety concerns should carefully weigh the county's crime challenges against its economic and health advantages.

2040608010059.50.11.197.558.499.60.58687.4Tax59.5Cost0.1Safety1.1Health97.5Schools58.4Income99.6Risk0.5Water86Weather87.442.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

San Francisco County DNA

Foverall

How San Francisco County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

San Francisco County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (99.6/100) but notably weak in Safety (1.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.5
Cost
0.1-47.9
Safety
1.1-53.9
Health
97.5+47.5
Schools
58.4
Income
99.6+48.599999999999994
Risk
0.5-46.5
Water
86+28
Weather
87.4+31.400000000000006
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Compare mortgage rates in San Francisco County

Whether buying or refinancing in San Francisco County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$1,394,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$2,476/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$1,394,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$99,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum9.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $140,970/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Counties with similar scores

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Nearby counties

Alameda County
California
40.1
San Mateo County
California
47.3
Marin County
California
47.9
Contra Costa County
California
39.8
Santa Clara County
California
42.3
Solano County
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35.9
Napa County
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Santa Cruz County
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41

Deep Dives

San Francisco County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Francisco County

via TaxByCounty

San Francisco's rate is the lowest regional

San Francisco's effective tax rate of 0.682% sits below the national median of 0.714%, making it one of the nation's lower-tax jurisdictions by rate. Yet the median property tax of $9,412 towers above the national median of $2,690—a 250% difference—because of San Francisco's $1,380,500 median home value.

San Francisco has California's lowest rate

San Francisco County's 0.682% effective tax rate is the lowest among all California counties, well below the state average of 0.714%. Despite this advantage, the median tax of $9,412 is the highest in the state, driven by the Bay Area's exceptional home values.

San Francisco leads in rate advantage

San Francisco's 0.682% rate is significantly lower than nearby California counties, including San Jose and the broader Bay Area. This rate advantage, however, is wholly eclipsed by San Francisco's median home value of $1,380,500, the highest in the sample.

Median SF home costs $9,412 yearly

With San Francisco's median home value of $1,380,500, homeowners pay approximately $9,412 in annual property taxes despite the county's low rate. With mortgage-related assessments, the total reaches approximately $10,001.

Assessments matter even at high values

San Francisco homeowners with multimillion-dollar properties should regularly verify assessments, as even small rate adjustments yield large dollar savings. A professional assessment appeal is free and can yield significant benefits in a high-value market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Francisco County

via IncomeByCounty

San Francisco earns nearly double nation

San Francisco County's median household income of $141,446 crushes the national median of $74,755—nearly double. This extraordinary income premium reflects the county's status as the heart of Silicon Valley and a global financial center.

California's top-earning county by far

At $141,446, San Francisco's median household income demolishes California's state average of $87,001 by 63%. No county in California comes close to San Francisco's income profile, cementing its position as the state's economic powerhouse.

San Francisco's income gap is enormous

San Francisco's $141,446 median income outpaces San Diego County ($102,285) by nearly $40,000 and San Benito County ($108,289) by $33,000. The tech sector's concentration in San Francisco and Bay Area creates an unmatched wage premium.

Even high income struggles with housing

San Francisco's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% is the most favorable in this survey, yet the median home value of $1,380,500 is stratospheric. Even residents earning $141,446 must dedicate massive wealth to housing, illustrating the cost-of-living crisis in San Francisco.

Extraordinary income demands expert planning

San Francisco residents earning $141,446 have unmatched wealth-building capacity but face unique challenges from concentrated housing costs. High-income households should prioritize tax optimization, diversified investments beyond real estate, and long-term asset allocation with professional guidance.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in San Francisco County

via CrimeByCounty

San Francisco’s Urban Safety Profile

San Francisco County holds a safety score of 89.9, reflecting significant urban challenges. Its total crime rate of 6,371.8 per 100,000 is nearly triple the national average of 2,385.5. These high numbers are largely driven by property-related incidents in the dense city center.

San Francisco vs. California Averages

San Francisco’s safety score of 89.9 is well below the California average of 96.3. The total crime rate of 6,371.8 per 100,000 vastly exceeds the state average of 2,355.2. Data from 8 reporting agencies indicates that the city experiences crime at a much higher frequency than the rest of the state.

A Bay Area Outlier

Compared to other California counties, San Francisco's crime rate of 6,371.8 is significantly higher than Sacramento's 2,966.7. Even San Joaquin County, which sees its own challenges, has a much lower rate at 2,695.6. The unique density of San Francisco creates a crime profile unlike any of its neighbors.

The Property Crime Surge

Property crime in San Francisco is a staggering 5,730.8 per 100,000, which is over 180% higher than the national average. Violent crime is also elevated at 641.0, compared to the national average of 369.8. This means theft and burglary are extremely frequent occurrences for those living and working in the city.

Safeguarding Your Urban Home

High property crime rates necessitate robust home security for all San Francisco residents. Use high-quality deadbolts, security films for windows, and monitored alarm systems to protect your property. Awareness of local surroundings is essential given the high volume of reported incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in San Francisco County

via WeatherByCounty

The cool maritime heart of California

San Francisco averages 56.9°F, which is cooler than many parts of the U.S. West Coast. Its 21.8 inches of rain is near the national average but concentrated in winter months.

Cooler than the California average

The county's 56.9°F annual average is lower than the California statewide average of 58.7°F. It is one of the most temperature-stable regions in the state.

The coolest in the region

San Francisco is significantly cooler than San Joaquin County, which averages 62.5°F. It also lacks the extreme heat seen in the nearby Central Valley.

Endless spring and zero snow

The county experiences only 2 extreme heat days per year. With a July average of 59.2°F and a January average of 52.3°F, the temperature rarely fluctuates more than a few degrees.

Layers are the local law

Forget the heavy parka or the tank top; light layers are essential for the constant 50-to-60 degree weather. Air conditioning is rarely needed since temperatures almost never hit 90°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in San Francisco County

via SoilByCounty

Urban Soils of the Peninsula

Detailed soil taxonomy and pH levels are unavailable for this highly urbanized county. Much of the surface layer consists of modified urban fill and historic sand dunes. Testing is recommended to see how your urban plot compares to the national 6.5 pH median.

Sandy Foundations and Urban Fill

Numerical data for silt and clay percentages is not currently on record for the city. Most San Francisco soils are naturally sandy, leading to rapid drainage and very low nutrient retention. This coarse texture means you will likely need to water and fertilize more frequently.

Boosting Organic Matter in the City

There is no specific data for organic matter or water capacity for the city's soils. To match the state's 3.30% organic matter benchmark, urban gardeners typically rely on compost and raised beds. Adding organic material is the best way to turn sandy fill into a productive garden.

Managing High Permeability

While a dominant hydrologic group is not assigned, the sandy nature of the peninsula implies high permeability. You must manage water use carefully to keep nutrients from leaching through the porous ground. Strategic planting can help stabilize sandy soil and prevent runoff in hilly neighborhoods.

Cool-Season Gems in Zone 10b

San Francisco's Zone 10b is famous for its unique 'fog belt' gardening conditions. Focus on cool-season crops like kale, chard, and fuchsias that thrive in the city's maritime air. Start a small container garden today to enjoy fresh greens year-round.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in San Francisco County

via LawnByCounty

Ideal conditions for urban greenery

San Francisco County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 68.8, the highest among its neighbors and far easier than the 51.3 state average. In Hardiness Zone 10b, the consistent maritime climate is exceptionally kind to growing grass.

Cooler summers and steady moisture

With only 2 extreme heat days per year, your lawn rarely suffers from sun scorch. The 21.8 inches of annual rainfall is nearly double that of Southern California, though it still falls short of the 30-50 inches ideal for most lawns.

Overcoming urban soil limitations

While specific county-wide soil metrics are missing, urban lots in San Francisco often deal with compacted earth and limited drainage. Aerating your lawn once a year is a critical step to ensure water and air can reach the roots in this dense environment.

A rare year without drought

San Francisco experienced zero weeks of drought over the past year, making it a standout region for lush growth. You can maintain this advantage by using rain barrels to capture runoff for supplemental watering during the drier autumn months.

Green lawns all year long

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fescue thrive in the city's constant 50-to-60 degree temperatures. Because frost is extremely rare here, you have a flexible window for seeding almost any time the weather is mild.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Francisco County's county score?
San Francisco County, California has a composite county score of 42.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does San Francisco County rank among counties in California?
San Francisco County ranks #20 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in San Francisco County, California?
The median annual property tax in San Francisco County is $9,862, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns San Francisco County a tax score of 59.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in San Francisco County?
The median household income in San Francisco County, California is $140,970 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. San Francisco County earns an income score of 99.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is San Francisco County, California a good place to live?
San Francisco County scores 42.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in California. The best way to evaluate San Francisco County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare San Francisco County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.