The minimum wage in San Francisco is $19.18/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $33.66/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in San Francisco.
San Francisco sets a local minimum wage of $19.18/hour, above the California statewide minimum of $16.90/hour. San Francisco sets one of the highest local minimum wages in the country and adjusts it every July based on the regional consumer price index. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in San Francisco. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,900/month and a cost-of-living index of 192 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (San Francisco, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $19.18 | $39,894 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $33.66 | $70,013 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $55.20 | $114,816 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| California state minimum wage | $16.90 | $35,152 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $34,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for City and County of San Francisco. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in San Francisco.
San Francisco is the financial and technology hub of Northern California, combining global banking and venture capital with the headquarters of major technology and AI companies, a dense tourism economy, and some of the highest rents and home prices in the nation.
| Local Metric | San Francisco (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 810,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | City and County of San Francisco |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 192 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $33.66/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $55.20/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $19.18/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,900/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,800/month |
| Median home price | $1,250,000 |
| Median household income | $141,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.625% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.63% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
San Francisco sets a local minimum wage of $19.18/hour, above the California statewide minimum of $16.90/hour. San Francisco sets one of the highest local minimum wages in the country and adjusts it every July based on the regional consumer price index. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $39,894 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in City and County of San Francisco needs about $33.66/hour (roughly $70,013/year) to cover basic costs. That is $14.48/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $55.20/hour.
At $19.18/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $39,894 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $29,921/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in San Francisco is about $2,900/month, or $34,800/year.
San Francisco has a city minimum wage ordinance that sits above both the federal and California state minimums and rises with inflation.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. California's higher state and local rates apply in San Francisco instead.