Is SoMa Expensive?

San Francisco, United States

+15% vs San Francisco avg

Living in SoMa, San Francisco

SoMa is a moderately-priced area within San Francisco, with a cost of living index of 112.2 — that is +15% compared to the San Francisco average. It sits around the middle of the pack at #7 out of 24 neighborhoods. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $3,680/month, compared to a range of $2,400 in Bayview to $4,096 in Palo Alto.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of SoMa, housing takes up roughly 52% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $147,200 before tax.

Typical Salaries in SoMa

Salaries in SoMa reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 112.2:

After tax and deductions of 33.1% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $147,200 would be roughly $98,477/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

112.2
COLI Index
1.15x
vs City Avg
$3,680
Est. 1BR Rent
#7
of 24 Areas
33.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in SoMa

Estimated annual deductions on a $84,150 salary in SoMa, San Francisco (local employee).

Income Tax
16%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total Deductions: 33.1%
Est. Take-Home: $56,321/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in SoMa would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $84,150
London GBP £72,418
Dubai AED AED 421,069

Other Neighborhoods in San Francisco

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Palo Alto 124.9 1.28x +28%
Pacific Heights 122.0 1.25x +25%
Marina District 119.1 1.22x +22%
Financial District 117.1 1.20x +20%
Russian Hill 117.1 1.20x +20%

View all 24 neighborhoods in San Francisco →

Convert Your Salary

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San Francisco City Comparisons

New York vs San Francisco

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to SoMa:

Murray Hill, New York Notting Hill, London Manhattan (Lower East Side), New York Hell's Kitchen, New York Indre By (City Centre), Copenhagen Raffles Place, Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SoMa expensive in San Francisco?

Yes, SoMa is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in San Francisco. It costs about +15% more than the city average, ranking #7 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does SoMa compare to the San Francisco average?

The cost of living in SoMa is above the San Francisco average. With a multiplier of 1.15x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.