Living in San Francisco–Oakland: cost, climate, Chinese community & taxes

San Francisco–Oakland at a glance for newcomers — every number is from an official source.

Metro area: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

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PriceyHigh rentExpensive homesIncomes go farBig Chinese communityGood transitLong commutesHighly educatedHigh state income taxTech & engineering hubBusiness & finance hubMild summersSmaller healthcare sector

💰 Money

Cost of living (US = 100): 115.6 (above average)
Median rent: $2,435/mo
Median home value: $1.13M
Median household income: $136k

🌤️ Climate

January average: 51.3°F 11°C
July average high: 72.6°F 23°C
Rain + snow (water) per year: 19.64 in
Days ≥ 90°F / ≤ 32°F: 4 / 0 days/yr

NOAA station: SFO (USW00023234), 1991–2020

🥟 People & community

Population: 4.6M
Chinese / Taiwanese: 11.1% ~516k
Asian: 28.9%
Bachelor’s degree+ (adults): 53.8%
Computer / engineering / science jobs: 15.1%

🚇 Getting around

Commute by transit: 10.9%
Drive alone to work: 53.4%
Work from home: 18.9%
Average commute: 33 min

🧾 Taxes

State income tax (top rate): 13.3% CA
Sales tax (state + avg. local): 9.03%

✈️ Flights to China

Nonstop from SFO to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan

United · Air China · China Eastern · China Southern

💼 Compare job offers after tax →🏥 Chinese-speaking doctors, lawyers & schools →

Sources