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SFO

San Francisco Bay Area

California, United States

Arriving, settling in and working in San Francisco Bay Area: what official sources say, in the order you’ll need it. Every point links to the page it came from.

Plan my move to San Francisco Bay AreaRead the guide ↓
Photo: Leo_Visions / Unsplash
Guide sections12
Sourced facts67
Last verified1 Nov 2026
Areas with rent9

Decide

Is this the right city for us?

San Francisco Bay Area at a glance

The basics about the Bay Area, plus official sources for time, weather and living costs.

  • The nine-county Bay Area had about 7.68 million residents in 2026. San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland together held 29% of them.
    vitalsigns.mtc.ca.gov ↗
  • The city uses Pacific Time. In 2026, daylight saving time runs from 8 March to 1 November; clocks change at 2 a.m.
    nist.gov ↗
  • For official forecasts and weather warnings, use the National Weather Service forecast office for the San Francisco Bay Area.
    weather.gov ↗
  • Zumper's rent data for San Francisco lists an average of $4,295 a month for a 1-bedroom and $6,090 for a 2-bedroom (page updated 1 November 2026).
    zumper.com ↗
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  • Rents are lower in some other Bay Area cities: Zumper lists Oakland at $2,011 for a 1-bedroom and $2,694 for a 2-bedroom (1 November 2026).
    zumper.com ↗
  • In San Jose, Zumper lists $2,800 for a 1-bedroom and $3,500 for a 2-bedroom (31 October 2026).
    zumper.com ↗
External links
Zumper San Francisco rent data ↗Bay Area population (MTC Vital Signs) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Laws and customs

California rules that often surprise newcomers.

  • Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over. You can carry up to one ounce (28.5 grams) of cannabis and up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis.
    cdph.ca.gov ↗
  • You cannot use, smoke, eat or vape cannabis in public places. If you drive under the influence, police can stop you and give you a sobriety test.
    cdph.ca.gov ↗
  • Adults can grow up to six plants at home, in a locked space that can't be seen from public view. Local governments may ban growing outdoors.
    cdph.ca.gov ↗
  • For mental health or suicide crisis support, call 988 or chat at chat.988lifeline.org. It is free, confidential and open 24/7.
    988lifeline.org ↗
External links
Cannabis laws (CDPH) ↗988 Lifeline ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving in the Bay Area

Getting from SFO into the city, and your first admin steps.

  • The SFO BART station is in the International Terminal. The free SFO AirTrain runs to it from all terminals, and the ride to downtown San Francisco takes about 30 minutes.
    bart.gov ↗
  • BART fare gates accept contactless bank cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Every rider aged 5 or over needs their own card or device. BART no longer sells paper tickets.
    bart.gov ↗
  • BART fares rose by 6.2% on 1 January 2026; the average fare went from $4.88 to $5.18.
    abc7news.com ↗
  • If you are not a US citizen, you must report each change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. A US Postal Service change of address does not update USCIS. A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors are exempt.
    uscis.gov ↗
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  • If your Social Security number was not requested with your visa or green card application, the SSA suggests waiting 10 days after arrival before you apply, so your documents can be verified.
    ssa.gov ↗
External links
Airport connections (BART) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Getting around

Muni, BART, Clipper and fares.

  • A Muni adult single ride costs $2.85 with Clipper, MuniMobile or a bank card, or $3.00 in cash. It is valid for 120 minutes.
    sfmta.com ↗
  • A Muni day pass costs $5.70. An adult Clipper monthly pass is $86, or $104 for the M pass that includes cable cars.
    sfmta.com ↗
  • Young people aged 18 and under ride Muni free, except on cable cars. A cable car ride costs $9.00.
    sfmta.com ↗
  • Muni started accepting tap-to-pay with credit and debit cards in December 2025.
    sfmta.com ↗
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  • Across Bay Area transit you can tap a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card, or a phone wallet, at Clipper readers. Use the same card for every tap to save up to $2.85 when you transfer between agencies.
    clippercard.com ↗
  • Youth, senior and other discount fares are not available with bank cards; you need a Clipper card for those.
    clippercard.com ↗
External links
Muni fares (SFMTA) ↗Contactless payments (Clipper) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods and housing

Rent caps, deposits and local rent control.

  • California's statewide cap limits yearly rent rises to 5% plus the change in the cost of living, up to a maximum of 10%. It does not cover housing 15 years old or newer.
    oag.ca.gov ↗
  • For rent increases starting between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027, the cap in the San Francisco Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties) is 8.8%.
    oag.ca.gov ↗
  • If your city has a stricter rent stabilisation law, the lower cap applies. When a tenant moves out, the landlord can set the rent for the next tenant.
    oag.ca.gov ↗
  • Since 1 July 2024, a security deposit can be at most one month's rent. Some small landlords (a person owning no more than two properties with four or fewer units in total) can charge up to two months.
    oag.ca.gov ↗
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  • Within 21 days after you move out, the landlord must return the deposit and send an itemised statement of any deductions.
    oag.ca.gov ↗
  • In San Francisco, rent-controlled units can be raised by at most 1.6% between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027.
    sf.gov ↗
  • A San Francisco landlord must give 30 days' written notice of a rent increase, or 90 days if it is over 10%.
    sf.gov ↗
External links
Limits on rent increases (CA AG) ↗SF rent increases (SF.gov) ↗Zumper SF rent data ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Schools

Enrolling children in San Francisco public schools.

  • SFUSD accepts new student enrolment throughout the 2026-27 school year. Contact the Enrollment Center to get started.
    sfusd.edu ↗
  • Applications for the 2027-28 school year are due by 1 February 2027.
    sfusd.edu ↗
  • The district is at 555 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone 415-241-6000 (weekdays 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.).
    sfusd.edu ↗
  • SFUSD's non-discrimination policy covers actual or perceived immigration status.
    sfusd.edu ↗
External links
Enroll in SFUSD ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Healthcare

Health insurance and low-cost care in the Bay Area.

  • Covered California is the state's health plan marketplace. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027; choose a plan by 31 December to be covered for all of 2027.
    coveredca.com ↗
  • State help with premiums is available for incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level ($31,920 for one person). State funding rose to $300 million for 2027.
    coveredca.com ↗
  • Enhanced federal premium tax credits have expired. Covered California says state funding cannot replace the nearly $2.5 billion Californians used to receive.
    coveredca.com ↗
  • Outside open enrollment you can sign up after a major life change; the special enrollment period usually lasts 60 days from the event.
    coveredca.com ↗
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  • Medi-Cal and Covered California share one application, which tells you which programme you qualify for.
    coveredca.com ↗
  • Healthy San Francisco provides care for uninsured San Francisco residents with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty level; fees depend on income. Call (415) 615-4555.
    healthysanfrancisco.org ↗
  • Covered California's service center is on (800) 300-1506 (TTY (888) 889-4500), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    coveredca.com ↗
External links
Covered California ↗Healthy San Francisco ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Banking and ID

Social Security numbers, tax IDs, bank accounts and city ID.

  • Noncitizens can usually get a Social Security number only if DHS has authorised them to work. Applying is free; you start online and then visit a Social Security office within 45 days with original documents.
    ssa.gov ↗
  • If you are not eligible for a Social Security number but need a US tax number, apply for an ITIN using IRS Form W-7.
    irs.gov ↗
  • To open a bank account you usually need photo ID (some banks accept a foreign passport or consular ID), proof of address and an SSN or ITIN. Without an SSN or ITIN you may only be able to open a no-interest account.
    files.consumerfinance.gov ↗
  • Bank deposits are insured by the FDIC up to at least $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, at each insured bank.
    fdic.gov ↗
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  • Every San Francisco resident can get a free SF City ID card, regardless of immigration status. It is valid for 2 years and status is not shown on the card.
    sf.gov ↗
  • Apply on a walk-in basis at the County Clerk, City Hall Room 160. Bring ID and one proof of San Francisco address dated within the last 30 days; call 415-554-4950 with questions.
    sf.gov ↗
External links
SSN for noncitizens (SSA) ↗SF City ID ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Driving and cars

Licences, tests and appointments.

  • Visitors aged 18 or over with a valid licence from their home state or country can drive in California while that licence stays valid.
    dmv.ca.gov ↗
  • Once you become a California resident, you must get a California licence within 10 days.
    dmv.ca.gov ↗
  • At the DMV office you pay the application fee, give a thumbprint and photo, take a vision exam and pass the knowledge test(s); you get three attempts per test.
    dmv.ca.gov ↗
  • With a licence from another country you must also pass a driving test. Bring proof of insurance, and have another licensed driver take you to and from the test.
    dmv.ca.gov ↗
Show 2 more
  • Driving tests need an appointment: book online or call 1-800-777-0133. A retest costs $7.
    dmv.ca.gov ↗
  • A REAL ID licence (marked with a bear and star) can be used to board domestic flights. AB 60 licences, for people who can't prove legal presence, are not REAL ID compliant.
    dmv.ca.gov ↗
External links
Driver's licenses (CA DMV) ↗Fast Facts 5 (CA DMV) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Where people live in San Francisco Bay Area

Average rent a month from official or market surveys, as of 1 Nov 2026. Asking rents for new listings are often higher.

Pacific Heights

San Francisco
1 bedroom$4,347
2 bedroom$6,640
CouplesFamiliesQuiet
Source: Pacific Heights rent prices — Zumper ↗

Mission

San Francisco
1 bedroom$3,995
2 bedroom$5,722
SinglesCouplesNightlife
Source: Mission rent prices — Zumper ↗

SoMa

San Francisco
1 bedroom$4,998
2 bedroom$6,070
SinglesNear the centreGood transit
Source: SOMA rent prices — Zumper ↗

Inner Sunset

San Francisco
1 bedroom$3,872
2 bedroom$5,495
CouplesFamiliesStudents
Source: Inner Sunset rent prices — Zumper ↗

Outer Sunset

San Francisco
1 bedroom$3,895
2 bedroom$4,900
FamiliesQuiet
Source: Outer Sunset rent prices — Zumper ↗

Oakland

Alameda County
1 bedroom$2,011
2 bedroom$2,694
Lower rentCouplesSingles
Source: Oakland, CA rent prices — Zumper ↗

Berkeley

Alameda County
1 bedroom$2,295
2 bedroom$3,072
StudentsCouples
Source: Berkeley, CA rent prices — Zumper ↗

San Jose

Santa Clara County
1 bedroom$2,800
2 bedroom$3,500
FamiliesLower rent
Source: San Jose, CA rent prices — Zumper ↗

Palo Alto

Santa Clara County
1 bedroom$3,500
2 bedroom$4,595
FamiliesQuiet
Source: Palo Alto, CA rent prices — Zumper ↗

Zumper's average asking rent per month for 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom homes listed on Zumper, from each neighbourhood or city page's rent table (pages updated 24 Oct to 1 Nov 2026). Asking rents for new listings, not rents on existing or rent-controlled leases..

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs and work

Pay, leave and rights at work.

  • California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour for all employers from 1 January 2026. Some cities and counties set a higher rate.
    dir.ca.gov ↗
  • San Francisco's minimum wage is $19.61 an hour from 1 July 2026. Questions go to the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement on 415-554-6292.
    sf.gov ↗
  • Employers must give at least 40 hours or five days of paid sick leave a year, whichever is more. Under an accrual plan you earn one hour for every 30 hours worked.
    dir.ca.gov ↗
  • An employer with 15 or more employees must include the pay scale in any job posting.
    dir.ca.gov ↗
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  • Paid Family Leave pays up to 8 weeks within any 12-month period, at roughly 70–90% of your wages depending on income.
    edd.ca.gov ↗
  • Questions about wages, breaks or sick leave go to the Labor Commissioner's Office on 833-526-4636.
    dir.ca.gov ↗
External links
Minimum wage (CA Labor Commissioner) ↗SF Minimum Wage Ordinance ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Universities

Major universities and help for international students.

  • Stanford University was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford and opened in 1891.
    facts.stanford.edu ↗
  • In autumn quarter 2025 Stanford had 7,289 undergraduate and 10,025 graduate students.
    facts.stanford.edu ↗
  • The University of California was founded in 1868. UC Berkeley has 184 academic departments and programmes.
    berkeley.edu ↗
  • San José State University was founded in 1857 and sits in downtown San Jose.
    sjsu.edu ↗
Show 1 more
  • International students must be accepted by an SEVP-certified school before applying for a student visa. The SEVP Response Center is on 703-603-3400, weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
    studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗
External links
Study in the States (DHS) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Communities and support

Where to get free help and connect with others.

  • The Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) is on 415-554-0600.
    sf.gov ↗
  • The City's Immigrant Support Hub (immigrants.sf.gov) helps you find free or low-cost immigration legal services in your own language.
    sf.gov ↗
  • SF Pathways to Citizenship offers free help with citizenship applications.
    sf.gov ↗
  • You have rights to language access for City services and programmes; SF.gov is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese.
    sf.gov ↗
Show 1 more
  • San Francisco Public Library membership is free to all California residents. Apply online or at a branch and show photo ID in person.
    sfpl.org ↗
External links
Immigrant services (SF.gov) ↗Get a library card (SFPL) ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

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