South San Francisco

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South San Francisco, CA

Area Guide

South City offers a suburban lifestyle within reach of the Bay Area.

Commuter Outdoors Nature BART Public Transportation

South San Francisco, known locally as "South City," sits between San Bruno Mountain and San Francisco Bay. Once an industrial center, it's now home to numerous biotechnology companies. The rental market offers options at various price points, with average rents ranging from $2,432 for studios to $4,068 for three-bedroom apartments.

The city's downtown along Grand Avenue features independent shops and local eateries that contribute to its community atmosphere. Sign Hill Park, home to the historic "South San Francisco The Industrial City" sign, provides hiking trails with sweeping views of the bay. Orange Memorial Park offers recreational facilities, including a swimming pool and seasonal farmers' market. East of Highway 101, the city has developed into a biotechnology research center, with Genentech's campus serving as a major employer. The Westborough and Buri Buri neighborhoods feature established residential areas, while newer apartment communities have sprung up near the South San Francisco BART station, offering convenient access throughout the Bay Area. The mild climate and proximity to San Francisco International Airport add to the area's appeal.

Rent Trends

As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in South San Francisco, CA is $2,416 for a studio, $2,952 for one bedroom, $3,438 for two bedrooms, and $4,088 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in South San Francisco has increased by 3.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,952/month
720 Sq Ft
House
$4,356/month
1,154 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in South San Francisco, CA

Transportation

66

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

60

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Buri Buri Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

574 Students

Sunshine Gardens Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

334 Students

Martin Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

383 Students

Ponderosa Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

351 Students

Los Cerritos Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

306 Students

Westborough Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

491 Students

Alta Loma Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

628 Students

Parkway Heights Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

612 Students

Community Day

Public

Grades 6-12

El Camino High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,173 Students

South San Francisco High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,280 Students

Community Day

Public

Grades 6-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • San Bruno Mountain State Park
  • Charles F. Hagar Planetarium
  • San Francisco State Univ. Observatory
  • Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
  • Pacifica State Beach

Airports

  • San Francisco International
  • Metro Oakland International

Top Apartments in South San Francisco

Houses for Rent in South San Francisco

Property Management Companies in South San Francisco, CA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.