Where to Live Near San Francisco: A Guide to the Best Surrounding Cities for Renters
San Francisco is absolutely the type of city that pulls a person in right away, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s packed with features like stunning architecture, unforgettable views, and neighborhoods that strike a wonderful balance between fresh and historic. Many would-be renters set their sights on living spaces within the city, so they can take full advantage of the vibe there.
But then they start looking at factors like rent. In fact, I’ve known plenty of renters over the years who eventually shift their focus to locations outside San Francisco for exactly this reason and others, which is really not a bad way to build a wonderful life that works well from day to day.
Living outside San Francisco proper often means more space and a slightly slower pace of living, which is ideal for many people. Rents are still very much “Bay Area” in nature, but they’re a lot more realistic. Your commute stays reasonable, as well, while keeping you well within reach of everything amazing about city life.
I’m Shannon, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for San Francisco, California. Allow me to introduce you to five of my favorite cities in the greater San Francisco area.
Oakland
Oakland is about as close to San Francisco as you can get without actually living there, which is one of the biggest advantages of choosing it. BART is your main point of connection with the city, and depending on where you’re coming from, it can get you to downtown San Fran in as little as 10-20 minutes.
If I’m in the mood for a more scenic trip, I personally enjoy a good ferry ride now and then, so just know that’s on the table, too.
What it’s like to live here
Oakland’s identity goes well beyond just being “next to San Francisco.” Like its sister city, it’s vibrant and creative, but it also possesses deep cultural roots all its own.
If you like energetic, walkable neighborhoods, options like Uptown and Temescal are excellent spots to look for apartments near San Francisco. They’re filled with art galleries, awesome restaurants, and small businesses well worth checking out. Rockridge is another great neighborhood to check out if you love great food and easy transit access, but want to live somewhere quieter and more residential.
Local culture is very present in the art, food, and music here – my absolute favorite thing about Oakland. There’s a strong sense of community among the residents, as well.
Rental market and space
If you’re looking to rent, Oakland actually offers more variety than San Francisco itself. Picture an eclectic mix of older apartments with plenty of character and newer digs packed with useful amenities.
Full disclosure – rent prices are on the high side, compared to most parts of the country, but they’re almost always more affordable than the ones in San Francisco. You’re also a lot more likely to get the square footage you really need in exchange for what you pay.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Oakland
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $2,247 | $850 | $6,500 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,742 | $765 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,341 | $963 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,408 | $895 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,166 | $845 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Apartments | $3,712 | $1,135 | $10,000+ |
| 6 Bedroom Apartments | $1,838 | $1,030 | $10,000+ |
Who it’s best for
Oakland just might be the perfect place for you to live if you want quick access to San Francisco for work or recreation but don’t want to build your entire life around it. Oakland arguably has just as much personality, culture, and local flavor to offer, plus a truly attractive local feel.
It’s where I’d personally be looking for an apartment if I wanted to be super close to San Francisco without actually living there for sure.
Berkeley
Walkable, thoughtful, and delightfully community-oriented. Those are just a few of the qualities I love best about Berkeley, especially as a potential place to look for an apartment.
Residents enjoy a straightforward, simple commute into San Francisco via the BART system, with lots and lots of people relying on it daily. Commuting this way is super smooth and predictable, which is exactly what you want if you work in San Francisco but prefer to live outside it.
The overall vibe here
Although it’s nearly as close to San Francisco as Oakland, Berkeley definitely has a different feel to it. For starters, it’s a lot quieter. It also possesses a deeply academic vibe, thanks to the presence of the University of California.
Expect an abundance of amenities and hangouts that would appeal to students and younger crowds as a rule, including plenty of bookstores and truly wonderful coffee shops. Something about Berkeley just gives you the impression that something interesting is waiting for you around every corner.
People like to linger in Berkeley, too, whether that means hanging around to chat over coffee or browsing on a Sunday afternoon at some of the wonderful local shops. You never know who you’ll meet here, and I wouldn’t have Berkeley any other way.
Lifestyle and amenities
Berkeley really is an accessible city, especially near the campus or downtown. You don’t need a car to do everything you want and need to do, whether that’s meet up with friends after work or run errands on the weekend.
People in Berkeley are also big on sustainability and supporting local businesses, giving it a really grounded feel.
Rental market and living space
Rental prices in Berkeley can be on the high side, especially close to campus, but lots of renters find that trade-off worth it if they plan on taking classes or otherwise spending time on campus. You’ll also enjoy a lot more residential breathing room than you would in San Francisco, even without a dramatic price difference.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Berkeley
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $2,179 | $850 | $3,815 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,733 | $765 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,265 | $963 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,330 | $895 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,082 | $845 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Apartments | $3,495 | $1,135 | $10,000+ |
| 6 Bedroom Apartments | $1,838 | $1,030 | $10,000+ |
Who it’s best for
If you’re looking for community, intellectual energy, and easy access to amenities that doesn’t also require a car, Berkeley could be a terrific fit for you. Definitely don’t sleep on it if you’re a student or academic interested in calm living without losing proximity to San Francisco.
Daly City
Located just south of San Francisco, Daly City represents one of the most convenient local transitions you could make. BART will get you into the city quickly, but if you prefer driving your own car, so will the nearby major highways.
Commuting from one city to the other is easy and peaceful, so it feels more like a natural extension of the rest of your day than anything else.
What daily life feels like
Daly City is another city near San Francisco that feels wonderfully residential, and I’d say that’s a big part of its appeal for renters. Think quiet streets, more predictable routines, and a general sense that life is peaceful in the best possible way.
Everyday tasks like grocery runs and looking for parking are definitely a lot less complicated here than they are in San Francisco.
Affordability and housing
Inventory can vary more as far as housing goes in Daly City, but rents are generally much cheaper than they are in San Francisco. You get a lot more space for your buck or a better value overall for sure.
It’s also probably worth noting that apartment and house layouts tend to be more practical than geared toward luxury amenities. But that’s generally what people are looking for when they decide to move to Daly City.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Daly City
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $2,486 | $1,300 | $3,299 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,945 | $1,000 | $3,817 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,860 | $2,999 | $8,632 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,252 | $3,649 | $6,645 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,400 | $5,400 | $5,400 |
One thing to know
Daly City is actually famous for its fog, so expect that to be a regular part of the atmosphere here. Some people (including me) absolutely love that about it, but others don’t, so consider which camp you fall into.
If you do decide you’re on board with the fog, you’ll love how convenient life is here, how affordable housing is, and how extremely close you’ll stay to San Francisco.
San Mateo
San Mateo sits right along the peninsula, about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. That makes it an amazing location for renters who’d appreciate proximity to both cities or who just need maximum flexibility, in general. It really helps open your options up, especially when it comes to jobs or fun things to do on the weekend.
In San Mateo, Caltrain is the main transit line to know, as it’s a really reliable way into San Francisco.
What it feels like to live here
The general vibe in San Mateo is clean, polished, and organized. In fact, you notice that right away, and daily life is generally really efficient because of it.
Downtown San Mateo is one of the city’s biggest highlights, in my personal opinion. You’ll find a full range of shops, restaurants, and cafes there – so many that it’s totally possible to stay local whenever you want to. And the neighborhoods here are beautifully calm and surprisingly spacious, just the vibe to come home to after a day in the city.
Housing and rental landscape
Like many cities in the Bay Area, rent in San Mateo isn’t necessarily cheap in comparison to the rest of the country. But you get a lot for your money here, including lots of space and a calm environment that’s truly good for the soul.
Apartment picks represent a range that includes modern, amenity-rich complexes, traditional residential units, and everything in between. Any one of these can be a great solution for anyone feeling cramped in San Francisco proper.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in San Mateo
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $3,199 | $1,875 | $3,967 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,854 | $2,150 | $9,114 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,047 | $2,650 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,863 | $3,275 | $9,396 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,470 | $5,470 | $5,470 |
Lifestyle trade-offs
Naturally, San Mateo doesn’t deliver the same density or dynamic intensity you’ll find in San Francisco, but your general pace of life will be a lot easier to manage day to day. Think less traffic congestion, fewer parking headaches, and plenty of room to move around to your heart’s content.
Give this city some serious consideration if you’re a professional or renter who likes the idea of a suburban feel that still keeps you well connected to major job centers and transit options.
San Jose
San Jose is certainly the furthest out from San Francisco as far as this list goes, and that may be challenging for some renters. But getting to and from San Francisco is still more than doable, so hear me out.
Depending on where you’re coming from and heading, traveling from one city to another will take about an hour, which may not be great for daily commuting. However, it’s logistically manageable, either by car or via Caltrain.
What living here feels like
San Jose is really a lot more expansive than a lot of the other locations on this list, and it’s truly one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. Neighborhoods are spread out more, and the streets lean wider. And you still get to take advantage of that wonderful, calm vibe so many local cities have going for them.
You’ll also get warmer, sunnier weather in San Jose, which is a real plus if you’re a sun worshiper or looking to make a switch from living someplace foggier like San Francisco or Daly City.
Rental market and space
I’m not kidding when I say one of the biggest advantages of living in San Jose, if you want to maintain access to San Francisco, is space. The apartments are a lot larger on average, and there are more options as far as newer developments with lots of different amenities.
Rent is still pretty high by national standards, of course. But you’ll still get a lot more living space for your money here than you will in San Francisco.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in San Jose
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $2,947 | $972 | $7,000 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,644 | $1,036 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,478 | $995 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,347 | $1,460 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,110 | $1,585 | $10,000+ |
Lifestyle and amenities
San Jose comes complete with everything you could possibly need or want, including beautiful green parks, shopping centers, and plenty of fun places to grab a bite. However, its lack of general density means it's harder to get around on foot here than in some of your other options, making it a better pick for people with reliable private transportation.
Who it’s best for
San Jose is a solid fit for renters who appreciate space, gorgeous weather, and access to some of the best Silicon Valley job opportunities, in addition to proximity to San Francisco. If you don’t necessarily need easy day-to-day access to San Fran, you can be more than comfortable here.
Finding Your Place in the Greater San Francisco Area
Ultimately, choosing where to live if you’re looking to settle down close to San Francisco is about so much more than just finding the best rental prices. You really want to consider how you’d like your daily life to feel, especially when you’re at home base.
Looking to stay super close to the city? Stick with Oakland or Daly City, as they offer very easy access. Need walkability and community? Head for Berkeley. Interested in maximum flexibility? You can’t miss with San Mateo. And if sunny days and plenty of wide open space are your thing? Don’t overlook San Jose as a viable option.
All of these picks (and others in the area) involve trade-offs, but that’s all part of the experience of settling down anywhere. You’re choosing where you want to build your life, not just a location, and in a region as varied as the one around San Francisco, there’s absolutely a version of that life that will work for you.
