San Francisco Housing Market: Trends & Prices (2026)
San Francisco Real Estate Market Overview
(Last Updated – 04/2025)
The City by the Bay is an alluring town known for its amazing food, gorgeous architecture, and beloved sports teams. Not to mention, those stunning bay views.
This city may have a lot of cool, gloomy days, but the San Francisco housing market is very hot, even as the city’s cost of living is 63.7% above the national average.
The San Francisco median sale price rose 13.7% year over year as of August 2026, indicating that buying a home in this city is very competitive. For an average family of four with two working adults, some experts estimate that they would need to earn as much as $366,130 annually to live in the San Francisco area comfortably.
While living in San Francisco is expensive, the city has a lot to offer that might make the cost worth it. Alongside amazing career opportunities in the tech world and other major industries, there is plenty of art, music, food, and fashion to enjoy in this somewhat small but very metropolitan city.
San Francisco is beloved for its diversity, so if you do look into buying there, make sure to take advantage of all of the city’s quirks.
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San Francisco Real Estate Market Trends
As far as local trends go, the real estate experts at Redfin consider the San Francisco housing market to be very competitive.
Homes for sale in this area generally receive multiple offers, sell for 14% above asking price, and go pending in around 20 days.
$1,591,447
Median Sale Price
$1,070
Median Price Per Square Ft.
20 days
Median Days on Market
San Francisco Housing Market Forecast
What are experts forecasting for the San Francisco housing market in the coming year?
Housing prices have been on the rise. San Francisco’s housing inventory is on the low side, and its total supply is not keeping up with demand. Despite the high cost of living, it still attracts many people interested in buying homes there. Many properties (67.6%) sell for over list price, and the number of homes with price drops has decreased by 7.5 points in the past year as of August 2026. This could mean that buyers who are interested in moving to San Francisco and can afford it might have a bit of an easier time finding their dream home.
Demographics of the San Francisco Market
While San Francisco is a relatively compact city, its many neighborhoods offer up completely different vibes. From residential to coastal to retro, there’s likely a neighborhood for everybody.
In addition, it’s home to some well-known and successful tech-driven companies, such as Uber, Instacart, Atlassian, Snap, Dropbox, and Salesforce. This can make for a robust job market and may help explain why the city’s median income is so much higher than the national median.
Here’s a look at the demographics of the San Francisco real estate market that may affect you, no matter where you decide to live.
Median Household Income: $139,801
Median Age: 40.5
College Educated: 60.9%
Homeowners: 38.2%
Married: 41%
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Popular San Francisco Neighborhoods
While the actual number of neighborhoods is heavily debated by San Francisco residents, there are dozens of popular neighborhoods to choose from.
Each neighborhood has something special to offer, so it will be challenging to narrow your choices. To help, here are some fast facts about five popular neighborhoods in San Francisco to consider if you’re contemplating a purchase and taking out a home loan.
Bernal Heights
Located near the Mission District, Bernal Heights is a calm, mostly residential neighborhood. It features bungalows and condos that may be great fits for first-time homebuyers looking to settle down.
You can head to Cortland Avenue for some shopping. If you have a dog, you can take it on a walk in the nearby Bernal Heights Park. The neighborhood also has a recreation center and farmers market you can visit every weekend. Despite being a quieter area, Bernal Heights is still a good option for commuters given its proximity to Interstates 280 and 101.
Quick Facts
Population:
30,229
Median Age:
41
Housing Units:
13,398
Bike Score:
69/100
Walk Score:
92/100
Transit Score:
78/100
Median Household Income:
$146,735
Bernal Heights Housing Market
The housing market in Bernal Heights has been on a bit of a rollercoaster in recent years. Prices rose 22.5% year over year as of August 2026, and the neighborhood is considered one of the most competitive in the city. Homes that are listed receive multiple offers and sell for about 25% above the listing price.
As of mid-2026, Bernal Heights houses on the market go pending in 18 days.
Median Sale Price
$1,909,079
Median Price Per Square Ft.
$1,020
Inner Sunset
Inner Sunset is another San Francisco neighborhood that offers a tranquil feel.
This neighborhood is right next to the Golden Gate Park, which means there is a lot of fun to be had in the gardens and the de Young Museum. It is also home to top-rated public schools and UCSF’s Parnassus Campus, with restaurants, boutiques, and bars along 9th Avenue and Irving Street a short walk away.
Quick Facts
Population:
15,085
Median Age:
43
Housing Units:
6,542
Bike Score:
77/100
Walk Score:
97/100
Transit Score:
66/100
Median Household Income:
$146,250
Inner Sunset Housing Market
If you are drawn to Inner Sunset, you are not alone. According to Redfin, it is a very competitive housing market. While home prices are down 13.6%, average homes typically sell for 16% above asking and go pending in around 16 days, as of August 2026.
Median Sale Price
$1,831,616
Median Price Per Square Ft.
$786
Inner Richmond
Located just south of the Presidio, Inner Richmond has a reputation for being one of the best neighborhoods for families. It has many single-family and multi-unit properties and is known for its diverse food scene. You can visit the Clement Street Farmers Market every Sunday and stop by Arsicault Bakery, another local favorite.
Quick Facts
Population:
11,426
Median Age:
39
Housing Units:
5,626
Bike Score:
87/100
Walk Score:
95/100
Transit Score:
70/100
Median Household Income:
$163,995
Inner Richmond Housing Market
This housing market is deemed very competitive. For buyers, it may be challenging to navigate. The area has a high median sale price that has gone up 17.7% since the previous year, as of August 2026.
Inner Richmond’s average home values were up 18.6% in mid-2026 compared to last year, and homes typically sell for about 16% above list price.
Median Sale Price
$2,150,962
Median Price Per Square Ft.
$926
Pacific Heights
Some refer to Pacific Heights as the quintessential San Francisco neighborhood. Many grand Victorian homes grace Pacific Heights, and the neighborhood offers great views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Residents say it’s safe, has a few great parks, and street parking isn’t as difficult as elsewhere in the city.
Quick Facts
Population:
20,692
Median Age:
37
Housing Units:
13,207
Bike Score:
66/100
Walk Score:
97/100
Transit Score:
80/100
Median Household Income:
$151,524
Pacific Heights Housing Market
A neighborhood with a high price tag, Pacific Heights has seen home prices go up by 7.8% year over year as of August 2026, and properties typically sell for 9% above their asking price. The market is considered very competitive. The time for houses on the market to get snapped up and deemed sold was 21 days vs. 30 days the prior year.
Median Home Price
$2,198,939
Median Price Per Square Ft.
$1,390
North Beach
Known as San Francisco’s Little Italy and home of the 1950s literary movement, North Beach features storied streets consisting mostly of apartments and condos. Its walkability, nightlife, and renowned shops and landmarks, such as the City Lights Bookstore and Coit Tower, make it a great location to live in and visit, whether you are a Bay Area local or a tourist.
Quick Facts
Population:
3,079
Median Age:
46
Housing Units:
2,017
Bike Score:
74/100
Walk Score:
99/100
Transit Score:
86/100
Median Household Income:
$87,191
North Beach Housing Market
This neighborhood in San Francisco has seen a price drop of about 10% year over year as of August 2026. Nevertheless, if you want to buy a home in North Beach, get ready to compete. It’s still a challenging market. Inventory is low, and homes typically sell for 7% above list price and go to pending status in 13 days.
Highly desirable homes can sell for as much as 17% above list price.
Median Sale Price
$1,176,932
Median Price Per Square Ft.
$1,130
SoFi Home Loans
It’s easy to see why San Francisco has become such a popular market to buy a home in. There are some really amazing neighborhoods to choose from, whether you’re young and single or have a family to look after.
If you think San Francisco could be your home sweet home, then you may need to consider your mortgage financing options.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
FAQ
Are home prices dropping in San Francisco?
As of mid-2026, prices have been rising in San Francisco, as they have in many U.S. metros. Home sale prices went up by almost 14% year over year to $1,591,447. In the U.S. as a whole, the median home sale price in August 2026 stood at $398,596, up 2.2% from August 2025.
Should I buy a house now or wait to see if prices drop?
Deciding when to buy a house is a very personal decision that depends on your financial situation, your personal needs, and your risk tolerance. For example, if you are relocating for work and rental options are scarce or pricey, you may want to dive into the market now. It’s also worth noting that if the economy declines, it can make jobs unstable and credit harder to come by, so it’s wise to factor that in, too.
What is the San Francisco housing market forecast this year?
In the San Francisco housing market, as in most markets, people are bracing to see how the economy pans out, though home prices are expected to continue rising. That said, if the economy declines, the market could soften.
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