Is Tenderloin Expensive?

San Francisco, United States

-22% vs San Francisco avg

Living in Tenderloin, San Francisco

Tenderloin is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco, with a cost of living index of 76.1 — that is -22% compared to the San Francisco average. Ranked #22 of 24, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,496/month, compared to a range of $2,400 in Bayview to $4,096 in Palo Alto.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Tenderloin, housing takes up roughly 35% 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 $99,840 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Tenderloin

Salaries in Tenderloin reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 76.1:

After tax and deductions of 30.3% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $99,840 would be roughly $69,588/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

76.1
COLI Index
0.78x
vs City Avg
$2,496
Est. 1BR Rent
#22
of 24 Areas
30.3%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Tenderloin

Estimated annual deductions on a $57,075 salary in Tenderloin, San Francisco (local employee).

Income Tax
13%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total Deductions: 30.3%
Est. Take-Home: $39,791/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

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

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $57,075
London GBP £49,118
Dubai AED AED 285,591

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 →

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Compare Tenderloin

Tenderloin vs Bayview Tenderloin vs Daly City

San Francisco City Comparisons

New York vs San Francisco

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Tenderloin:

Buitenveldert, Amsterdam Brixton, London Amager, Copenhagen Clementi, Singapore Queenstown, Singapore Staten Island, New York

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tenderloin expensive in San Francisco?

Tenderloin is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco. It costs about -22% less than the city average, ranking #22 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Tenderloin compare to the San Francisco average?

The cost of living in Tenderloin is well below the San Francisco average. With a multiplier of 0.78x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -22% 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.