City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

South San Francisco, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for South San Francisco - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

64,487
Residents
$135,909
Median income
$1,160,100
Median home
$3,604
Median rent (state)

South San Francisco - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, South San Francisco lands in the 92nd percentile for household income and the 35th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

92nd
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
99th
percentile, median rent
35th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: South San Francisco, CA

64,487 people live in South San Francisco, California - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. South San Francisco households earn a median of $135,909 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.3%. Home values in South San Francisco run a median of $1,160,100, and the median resident age is 42.4 years. About 40.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 66.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 57 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 72% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1859.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,604 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for South San Francisco workers runs 22.7 minutes, with 59.6% driving alone and 16.5% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

64,487 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$135,909 /yr

Poverty 5.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does South San Francisco compare to other US cities?

South San Francisco measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 92% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 99% pricier than other cities
Safety 35% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: South San Francisco ranks #210 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below South San Francisco's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

92ndIncome percentile
35thSafety percentile

92nd percentile nationally for median household income · 35th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South San Francisco's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South San Francisco's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 43 Avg. percentile National median
South San Francisco's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How South San Francisco's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$1,160,100 2nd percentile more affordable than 2% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. South San Francisco $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - South San Francisco, CA South San Francisco, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South San Francisco, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution South San Francisco, CA median $135,909/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
South San Francisco, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for South San Francisco, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
64,487
Median Income
$135,909
Median Home Value
$1,160,100
Median Age
42.4
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Labor force participation
66.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1859.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
300.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1558.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
63,000 residents64,000 residents65,000 residents66,000 residents67,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 65,913 residents 64,941 residents ▼ -1.5%
South San Francisco's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
57
housing units authorized
Single-Family
57
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 204
2020 3
2021 147
2022 151
2023 94
2024 57

Permit volume decreased 72% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.7 minutes
Drive Alone
59.6%
Carpool
11.8%
Public Transit
8.5%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
16.5%
Other
1.7%

Based on 34,982 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county South San Francisco sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,604/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Brentwood
64,609 people
Laguna Niguel
64,023 people
Lynwood
65,291 people
Castro Valley
65,389 people
San Clemente
63,510 people
Porterville
62,765 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South San Francisco's 64,487 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

North Little Rock, AR
64,504 people
Utica, NY
64,440 people
Bellevue, NE
64,355 people
Commerce City, CO
64,640 people
Burnsville, MN
64,295 people
Waltham, MA
64,723 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South San Francisco's $135,909 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Linwood, NJ
$135,904 median income
Angostura, SD
$135,893 median income
Chesapeake Beach, MD
$135,888 median income
Lake Santee, IN
$135,804 median income
Big Bend, WI
$136,042 median income
Richfield, WI
$135,774 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South San Francisco, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition South San Francisco, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 26.6% 43.0% 14.0% 12.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.8% White 26.6% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 43.0% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 1.1% Some other race 14.0% Two or more races 12.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How South San Francisco compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
South San Francisco (this city) 64,487 $135,909
Brentwood 64,609 $139,567
Laguna Niguel 64,023 $140,605
Lynwood 65,291 $70,236
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South San Francisco, CA?

What is the population of South San Francisco, CA? +

South San Francisco, CA counts 64,487 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South San Francisco, CA? +

In South San Francisco, the typical household earns $135,909 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South San Francisco? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South San Francisco; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is South San Francisco, CA safe? +

South San Francisco has a total crime rate of 1859.3 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in South San Francisco, CA? +

Homes in South San Francisco carry a median value of $1,160,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.