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MarketsMarket MapSan Francisco, CA
Metropolitan Area

San Francisco, CA

California0
30
/100
Avoid
#891 of 894 metros
Top 100% nationally for investing

Market Snapshot

$1,149,215
Median Home Price
351% above national median
$3,258/mo
Median Rent
135% above national median
3.40%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Top 98% nationally
-$3,907
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

20%
5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$1,149,215
Down Payment (20%)$229,843
Loan Amount$919,372
Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,258
Monthly P&I-$6,024
Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,140
Net Cash Flow-$3,907/mo
2.2%
Cap Rate (all cash)
-17.7%
Cash-on-Cash Return
3.40%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on metro-wide median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Individual counties and properties vary significantly.

Run Full AnalysisTry House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
30/100
30
Cash Flow(30%)
21/100

Based on 3.40% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)
46/100

Based on -1.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Based on 0.0% population growth. Growing areas indicate economic stability.

Affordability(20%)
0/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow metro-level home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. This metro score represents area-wide averages; individual counties may vary significantly.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Low unemployment (0.0%)

Challenges

  • -Below-average rent-to-price ratio (3.40%)
  • -Declining home values (-1.0% YoY)
  • -Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$3,907/mo)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 2.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Counties in San Francisco, CA

County data is being compiled for this metro area.

Compare to Similar Metros

Metro AreaVerdict
Greenwood, MS
Greenwood, MS
50$101,611Est.HoldView
Mountain Home, ID
Mountain Home, ID
50$360,998$1,3624.53%HoldView
Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
50$389,536$1,9045.87%HoldView
Alice, TX
Alice, TX
50$138,977Est.HoldView
Crescent City, CA
Crescent City, CA
50$368,801Est.HoldView
Current
San Francisco, CA
30$1,149,215$3,2583.40%Avoid

Rent vs buy in this metro

Rent vs buy in San Francisco, CAMedian $1,245,307 · rent $3,680/moRent vs buy in Oakland, CAMedian $1,041,956 · rent $2,718/mo

The Bottom Line

AvoidSan Francisco, CA may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult. Look for specific counties with better ratios.

The San Francisco, CA metro area scores 30/100, ranking #891 of 894 US metros (top 100%). The 3.40% rent-to-price ratio may require targeting specific counties or creative strategies for positive cash flow. Current metro-wide averages make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or drilling down to specific counties.

Monthly Cash Flow
$-3,907/mo
Cap Rate
2.2%
Cash-on-Cash
-20.4%

Ready to Invest in San Francisco, CA?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties, or explore individual counties for more targeted opportunities.

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