Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | San Francisco | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $140,744 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $112,953 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 33.9% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in San Francisco is about 46% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in San Francisco (6.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 34% of adults in San Francisco earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in San Francisco, California grew by 100.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $140,744 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in San Francisco | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | San Francisco | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.531 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $118,436 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $104,839 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.5% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In San Francisco, it is 0.531, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 13% more than women's income in San Francisco, California. Over a 35-year career, a 13% wage gap accumulates to roughly $475,895 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in San Francisco, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 11%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,797 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | San Francisco | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 27.5% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 28,870 people are unemployed in San Francisco, California.
The average commute time in San Francisco is 30 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in San Francisco, California has fallen from 7.5% to 5.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, San Francisco, California has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it notably better than California, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in San Francisco, California.
How Rich Is San Francisco, California?
San Francisco has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $140,744, about 46% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in San Francisco, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in San Francisco, California is $140,744.
What was the median household income in San Francisco in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in San Francisco, California was $140,744.
What was the median household income in San Francisco in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in San Francisco, California was $119,217.
What is the Gini coefficient in San Francisco, California?
The Gini coefficient in San Francisco is 0.531. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in San Francisco, California?
The income gap between men and women in San Francisco, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 11%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,797 since 2009.