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Can You Afford a 1-Bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont? The Salary Math.

HUD does not publish a separate FMR for a 1-bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont. The closest published figure is the 2-bedroom at $3,604/month, which we use as a proxy.HUD does not publish a separate FMR for a 1-bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont. Showing the 2-bedroom rent of $3,604/month as a proxy.

HUD does not publish a separate FMR for a 1-bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont. Showing the 2-bedroom rent of $3,604/month as a proxy.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $3,604/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$102,200$6,14258.7%Too much
Early career (25th pct.)$173,990$9,84736.6%Stretch
Median$230,560$12,85928%OK
Experienced (75th pct.)$410,460$21,36916.9%Comfortable
Top earners (90th pct.)$477,950$24,53614.7%Comfortable

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25-30% | Stretch 30-40% | Too much >40%

Jobs that pay enough to afford a 1-Bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont

These occupations have median salaries that keep rent under 30% of take-home.

Psychiatrists
$230,560/yr median
General Internal Medicine Physicians
$351,670/yr median
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
$429,080/yr median

Keep exploring San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont

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Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
You need roughly $16,457/year gross to keep a 1-bedroom at $3,604/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That assumes a 27% effective tax rate and single filing.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
HUD does not publish a separate FMR for a 1-bedroom in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont. The closest published figure is the 2-bedroom at $3,604/month.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont expensive for renters?
Yes. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61, meaning everyday expenses run 16% above the national average. Rent at the HUD FMR takes up a larger share of take-home pay here than in most cities.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
The following occupations in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont have median salaries that keep 1-bedroom rent under 30% of take-home pay: Psychiatrists, General Internal Medicine Physicians, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

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