Salary guide · US
Software Engineer salary in San Francisco: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in San Francisco typically earns $130,000–$350,000/year, with a median around $200,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,800/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $200,000/year, spending on median San Francisco rent ($2,800/mo) would take up 17% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a comfortable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in San Francisco
$130,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$200,000
Typical
median estimate
$350,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for San Francisco.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in San Francisco
$1,700
Budget
cheapest 10%
$2,800
Median
most common
$5,000
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2023 + Zillow Observed Rent Index 2024 (continued tech-sector correction) · 2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in San Francisco?
A Software Engineer in San Francisco typically earns between $130,000 and $350,000/year, with a median around $200,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in San Francisco?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $200,000/year, median San Francisco rent ($2,800/month) takes up 17% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in San Francisco start around $1,700/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in San Francisco?
On a median Software Engineer salary of $200,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is $5,000/month. Compared to San Francisco's median rent of $2,800/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
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