Enjoy a hike at Sign Hill Park in Sign Hill on a warm day.
Grand Ave in Downtown South San Francisco is lined with beautifully restored historic buildings.
The Pacific coastline appeals to adventurers of all types.
Oyster Point is a busy hub for industry in South San Francisco.

South San Francisco, CA

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$3,180

Population

20,527

Renter Mix

37% Rent

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

Commuter Outdoors Nature

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.

Explore the City

Oyster Point is a busy hub for industry in South San Francisco.

The Pacific coastline appeals to adventurers of all types.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$132,000

Average: $159,004

Education

7,591

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

11,424

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

44 Years

Largest Age Group

35-44 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

19%

Over 65

23%

Housing Distribution

South San Francisco has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
37%
Non-Renters
63%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
32%
Other Education
68%

Rent Trends

As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in South San Francisco, CA is $2,672 for a studio, $3,189 for one bedroom, $3,802 for two bedrooms, and $4,472 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in South San Francisco has increased by 7.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$3,189/month
717 Sq Ft
House
$1,982/month
92 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in South San Francisco, CA

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

50 / 100

Some Public Transit

Transit

50 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Buri Buri Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

584 Students

Buri Buri Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

584 Students

Ponderosa Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

359 Students

Ponderosa Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

359 Students

Sunshine Gardens Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

329 Students

Westborough Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

498 Students

Alta Loma Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

652 Students

Alta Loma Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

652 Students

Westborough Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

498 Students

Parkway Heights Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

573 Students

El Camino High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,053 Students

El Camino High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,053 Students

South San Francisco High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,239 Students

South San Francisco High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,239 Students

Baden High (Continuation) School

Public

Grades 9-12

130 Students

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 February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.