San Francisco Money Calculators
17 free calculators built on San Francisco's own tax, housing and insurance rules — each with the reasoning explained.
San Francisco at a glance
| State and local income tax | California 1%–12.3% (+1% over $1M) and 1.3% SDI |
|---|---|
| Take-home on $100,000 (single, no deductions) | $72,821 |
| Property tax | Under Proposition 13, a San Francisco home is assessed at its purchase price and the assessed value can grow no more than 2% a year. |
| Government closing taxes on a $500,000 purchase (buyer + seller) | $3,400 |
| Transit | SFMTA (Muni): about $86 a month |
| Auto insurance minimum | Liability 30/60/15 ($30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident bodily injury; $15,000 property damage), in effect since 01/01/2025. No PIP requirement. |
Income taxes in San Francisco
San Francisco residents pay California income tax, which runs from 1% to 12.3% plus a 1% Mental Health Services Tax on income above $1 million. There is no separate San Francisco personal income tax; the city's own taxes fall on businesses through gross receipts and payroll-based measures.
California withholds State Disability Insurance (SDI) at 1.3% of wages in 2026, with no wage ceiling since 2024. That means a high earner in San Francisco pays SDI on every dollar, which is a noticeable line on tech-industry pay stubs.
Housing: renting and buying
San Francisco has some of the highest rents and home prices in the country, with a large share of housing in older buildings covered by the city's rent ordinance. Neighborhoods range from the Mission and SoMa to the Sunset, Richmond and Bernal Heights, and fog belt western neighborhoods often cost less than central ones.
Under Proposition 13, a San Francisco home is assessed at its purchase price and the assessed value can grow no more than 2% a year. The 2025-26 rate is 1.18268325%, combining the 1% base with voter-approved bonds. Owner-occupants can claim a $7,000 homeowners' exemption.
Closing costs and transfer taxes
San Francisco's transfer tax applies one rate to the whole price based on price tiers, from $2.50 per $500 up to $30 per $500 at $25 million and above. The jump at $5 million, where the rate goes from 0.75% to 2.25%, is large enough to shape how sellers price homes. The seller customarily pays.
Getting around
Muni buses, light rail and cable cars cover most of the city, and BART connects to the East Bay and airport with distance-based fares. Parking is scarce and expensive in many neighborhoods, and residential permits are limited to certain areas.
Insurance and everyday costs
California requires 30/60/15 liability coverage since January 2025 and bans insurers from using credit scores to price auto policies. San Francisco's dense streets, break-ins and high repair costs push premiums above many other California cities.
Full-time childcare in San Francisco costs about as much as in-state college tuition. Voters approved Baby Prop C, which funds early care and education subsidies, and families with low to moderate incomes may qualify for help through the city's Department of Early Childhood.
Housing is the dominant cost, but groceries, dining and services are also expensive. Many residents offset some of that by skipping car ownership.
How to use the San Francisco calculators
Every tool below uses San Francisco's own rules — the California tax engine for paychecks, the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's method for property tax, and local transfer taxes for closing costs. Start with the paycheck calculator to see real take-home pay, then use the housing tools to test rents or home prices against it. Each result comes with a Reasoning box that explains which rule mattered most.
Income & Taxes
Housing & Real Estate
Insurance & Everyday Costs
San Francisco Special Tools
Frequently asked questions
Does San Francisco have a city income tax?
No. San Francisco does not levy a personal income tax; see the paycheck calculator for state taxes.
How much is take-home pay on $100,000 in San Francisco?
About $72,821 a year for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, based on 2026 rules.
Where do the San Francisco numbers come from?
Tax rates and rules come from official sources such as the IRS, the California Franchise Tax Board and the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder. Cost estimates such as typical rent are Rate and Reason starting points that you can replace with your own numbers.