I have a potential job offer in SF for around $220k base pay. Can my family of 3 (couple, 6-month-old, dog) live comfortably on this? We want to rent a 2-3br in a walkable area near CalTrain or BART, own max one car, and eventually pay for childcare. What are the expected costs for housing and childcare?
A $220,000 salary can support a family of three in San Francisco, but average housing and childcare costs will consume a large portion of your take-home pay. You will likely need to compromise on housing size or location to make the budget work.
You qualify for financial help with childcare. San Francisco offers a partial tuition credit for families in your exact income bracket.
For housing, the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is currently $5,846 per month. A 3-bedroom apartment averages higher.
For childcare, the average cost of full-time infant care in San Francisco in 2026 is about $2,900 per month, or roughly $35,000 per year. Toddler care averages about $2,300 per month.
Combined, average housing and infant childcare will cost over $105,000 a year. Because your $220,000 gross salary is subject to federal and California state taxes, these two expenses will take up a significant portion of your net income.
