Everything You Should Know Before Moving to South San Francisco, CA
Considering a move to South San Francisco, CA? With a population of about 66,000, the city offers a diverse community, mild climate with 61% sunny days, and quick access to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Housing is pricey, with median home values over $1.1M and average rent at $2,850, but strong household incomes help offset costs. Residents enjoy relatively low crime, commutes averaging 30 minutes, and access to solid local schools and healthcare. Explore cost of living, education, and neighborhood stats below to see if this Bay Area hub is right for you.
Demographics - South San Francisco, CA
Demographics - South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco is home to around 66,000 residents, offering a vibrant multicultural atmosphere with significant Asian and Hispanic communities. The median age is just over 39, and nearly half of households speak a language other than English, making it a diverse and dynamic place to live.
Population:
66,105
Density:
7,200 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.1
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
44.0%

Ethnic Composition
White:
21.5%
Black:
2.9%
Asian:
38.6%
Others:
37.0%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in South San Francisco, CA?
Living in South San Francisco comes with a high cost of living, with median home prices exceeding $1.1 million and average rent at $2,850 per month. While utilities and healthcare costs are moderate, housing and transportation prices are well above the national average, reflecting the city’s desirable Bay Area location.
Median House Value:
$1,110,000
Gross Rent:
$2,850
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$2,350
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$3,900
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$850
State Taxes:
Low:
1% (property tax)
|
High:
13.3% (state income tax)
Cost Of Living Index:
192.6
Grocery:
135.7
Housing:
350.2
Utilities:
99.1
Transportation:
161.4
Health Care:
125.8
Miscellaneous:
120.4
Crime
Is South San Francisco, CA a safe place to live?
The city experiences a relatively low violent crime rate, with about 221 incidents per 100,000 people and a 1 in 452 chance of being affected. Property crime is more common, but overall, South San Francisco is considered a safe community compared to many urban areas.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
221
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,947
Crime Index:
2,168
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 452
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 51
Weather
What is the weather like in South San Francisco, CA year-round?
South San Francisco enjoys a mild coastal climate with cool summers and winters, average temperatures ranging from the low 40s to 70°F, and about 61% sunny days each year. The city receives just over 20 inches of rain annually, making for comfortable outdoor living year-round.

Winter
Min:
43°F
Max:
58°F

Spring
Min:
49°F
Max:
64°F

Summer
Min:
54°F
Max:
70°F

Fall
Min:
50°F
Max:
68°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
20.4 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
61%
Neighbors
Residents benefit from strong household incomes, with a median household earning about $124,500 and a low poverty rate of 6.7%. Most adults have completed high school, over a third hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and average commute times are around 30 minutes, reflecting the area’s access to regional job centers.
Median Income:
$56,500
Household Income:
$124,500
Family Income:
$136,700
Per Capita Income:
$47,200
Income Male:
$61,800
Income Female:
$49,100
Poverty Rate:
6.7%
Non English Speakers:
44.0%
Rent:
$2,850
Unemployment Rate:
3.7%
Public Transport Usage:
12.5%
Commute Time:
30.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
88.5%
Bachelors or More:
36.8%
Education
How are the schools in South San Francisco, CA?
Families in South San Francisco have access to a range of educational options, including public schools with student-teacher ratios around 20:1 and several private and parochial schools. Higher education opportunities are close by, with Skyline College just four miles away and San Francisco State University within a short drive.

Public Schools
Name:
South San Francisco High School
Street:
400 B St
Phone:
650-877-8750
Students:
1,550
Student Teacher Ratio:
21.2
Name:
Alta Loma Middle School
Street:
116 Romney Ave
Phone:
650-877-8797
Students:
900
Student Teacher Ratio:
20.1

Private Schools
Name:
All Souls Catholic School
Street:
479 Miller Ave
Phone:
650-583-3562
Students:
270

Colleges
Name:
Skyline College
City:
San Bruno
State:
CA
Distance:
4 miles
Students:
8,800
Name:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Distance:
10 miles
Students:
27,000
Healthcare
South San Francisco offers excellent healthcare access, including major hospitals like Kaiser Permanente and a high rate of insured residents at nearly 95%. With more than three physicians per 1,000 people, the community enjoys robust medical resources and emergency services.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center
Address:
1200 El Camino Real, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone:
(650) 742-2000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Seton Medical Center
Address:
1900 Sullivan Ave, Daly City, CA 94015
Phone:
(650) 992-4000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
94.8%
Health Care Index:
81.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in South San Francisco, CA?
The housing market is competitive, with a median home price of $1.1 million and a strong owner-occupancy rate of 61%. Home values are appreciating, rental vacancies remain low, and foreclosure rates are minimal, indicating ongoing demand in this Bay Area city.
Median Home Price:
$1,110,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,850
Owner Occupied Rate:
61.4%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.0%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.2%
New Construction Rate:
1.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
South San Francisco residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, with the nearest office located in Burlingame for easy access to driver and vehicle services. Online resources are also available through the California DMV website.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
1330 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.