Considering living in San Francisco? Golden Gate City is one of the best places to live on the West Coast due to its thriving tech industry, culture, outdoor recreation, and much more. These great neighborhoods in San Francisco were chosen due to their overall affordability, housing prices, low crime rates, and amenities for residents. Here are the most affordable, safest neighborhoods in San Francisco!
Is San Francisco a Safe Place to Live in 2025?
San Francisco is a relatively safe place to live. Like most big cities that are densely populated, crime rates are typically higher than they are in rural areas. Even so, SF is 4% safer than the U.S. average. Currently, San Francisco’s crime rates are lower than they’ve been in 23 years, and there are safe San Francisco neighborhoods in numerous areas of the city!
Bernal Heights
- Home Price: $1,230,414 median purchase price; $2,169 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Dreaming of a sunny and safe California neighborhood with small-town charm? Consider living in Bernal Heights! This affordable San Francisco neighborhood is known for its amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and its prominent location in the San Francisco metro. Bernal Heights is a hub for LGBTQ-owned businesses and great schools in SF like Paul Revere Elementary School and Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School. Residents living in this walkable neighborhood can find a variety of housing options—from modern condos to Victorian-style homes—alongside San Francisco attractions, restaurants, and neighborhood events like Fiesta on the Hill or the largest community garage sale in San Francisco. Need to commute to other areas in San Francisco? Catch the underground train at the nearby Glen Park BART Station.
Things to Do in Bernal Heights
Hike the hill with your pup for breathtaking views of San Francisco sunsets in Bernal Heights Park. Learn about solar energy, environmentally-friendly ways to use water, and more with the kids at College Hill Learning Garden. Take the family to storytime, join the origami club, or check out the latest bestseller from the Bernal Heights Branch Library. Plant fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees at Bernal Heights Community Garden. Find everything from quail eggs to fresh squash at the Alemany Farmers’ Market, the first farmers market in California. Order Paneer Tikka Masala Sauce Pizza or Tandoori Prawns at Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine. Sip a margarita on the patio or catch Dolly Parton-themed drag at LGBTQ bar El Rio. Or treat yourself to a scoop of Chocolate Caramel Crackle, Rum Raisin, or Thin Mint ice cream at Mitchell’s Ice Cream.
Q: What are the safest areas in San Francisco?
A: Generally, the southern and western parts of San Francisco are the safest, but there are safe areas all over the city. Some of the safest San Francisco neighborhoods are Lincoln Park, McLaren Park North, Outer Sunset, and Noe Valley.
Excelsior
- Home Price: $900,731 median purchase price; $1,849 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located on the south side of the Bay Area, Excelsior is an affordable neighborhood where SF residents can rent an apartment or buy a home well below the city’s soaring median prices. Excelsior also remains one of the most ethnically-diverse San Francisco neighborhoods, with large Hispanic, Black, and Asian-American populations calling Excelsior home. Excelsior’s neighborhood events help nurture the already-strong community atmosphere, with neighborhood clean-up days and local concerts hosted by the Excelsior Action Group. Families living in Excelsior don’t have to look very far for good San Francisco schools either, as the neighborhood is home to Monroe Elementary School and Cleveland Elementary School. And even though this affordable SF neighborhood is slightly removed from city life, residents can easily get around without a car via Muni buses or the Glen Park and Balboa Park BART stations.
Things to Do in Excelsior
Plant seeds at the community garden, explore seven miles of hiking trails, or play a round of golf at McLaren Park. Attend the annual Jerry Day—a music festival to honor the memory of Grateful Dead member and former Excelsior resident, Jerry Garcia. Swing the bat, lay out a picnic, or dig in the sandbox at Excelsior Playground. Sign your teens up for after-school art classes, workshops, or summer internships with the Youth Art Exchange. Savor Hawaiian-style BBQ dishes like Loco Moco, Kalua Pig, or Teriyaki Steak at Hawaiian Drive Inn. Visit an Italian delicatessen with imported meats and cheeses, and order a sandwich with their famous garlic spread at Calabria Bros! Try the Cheese and Meat Quesadillas, Super Taco, or Steak Breakfast Burrito at Don Chuy’s Mexi-Mercado. Or finish your day with Northern California wine or craft beers like Harmonic or Fort George at The Dark Horse Inn.
Q: Is San Francisco safe at night?
A: How safe you are at night depends on where you are in the city. All the neighborhoods in San Francisco listed in this post have good safety ratings, meaning they’re more likely to be safe to walk in at night. If you plan to be in an area you’re unsure about, check its safety ratings ahead of time and take proper precautions.
Noe Valley
- Home Price: $1,714,572 median purchase price; $2,475 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a home in San Francisco, Noe Valley is one of the best neighborhoods in California! Located in Central San Francisco, just south of the Mission District, this safe SF neighborhood is ideal for those craving a small-town atmosphere away from city life. Noe Valley offers colorful Victorian houses and spacious Edwardian-style homes beside small boutiques, quaint bakeries, Noe Valley Town Square, and plenty of open green spaces. Known by San Francisco locals as Stroller Valley, the Noe Valley area is great for young families living in San Francisco thanks to nearby schools like James Lick Middle School and St Paul’s School. SF residents can easily commute on one of the close public transit stops to find fun things to do in Downtown San Francisco or on 24th Street!
Things to Do in Noe Valley
Practice your backswing or jump shots at Upper Noe Recreation Center. Give your dog belly rubs while you take in the stunning views of Downtown San Francisco at Douglass Playground. Catch golden hour at Twin Peaks for sun-kissed hills and winding trails. Sign the little ones up for summer theater camp, get cozy during movie night, or attend a puppet show at The Rabbit Hole. Pop into an author event or receive a signed cookbook at Omnivore Books on Food. Start your morning with a Florentine Scramble, Oatmeal Griddle Cakes, or Breakfast Burrito paired with an Iced Coffee at Chloe’s Cafe. Treat yourself to Greek favorites like Spanakopita or Moussaka and save room for a piece of Baklava at NOVY. Or sit down at Firefly Restaurant for Fried Heritage Chicken, Okra and Collard Green Gumbo Z’Herbes, or Lentil-Cauliflower Stuffed Acorn Squash.
Q: What are San Francisco’s most affordable neighborhoods?
A: In terms of overall housing prices, some of the most affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco are Bayview, Excelsior, and Outer Sunset. However, when deciding where to live in San Francisco for your budget, you’ll also want to take commute times, public transit options, and amenities into account.
Outer Richmond
- Home Price: $1,382,200 median purchase price; $2,090 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
If you want a low-key neighborhood in San Francisco with oceanside views, check out Outer Richmond! Though houses in this area can be a bit pricey, it’s still possible for SF residents to find affordable Queen Anne or Mission Revival-style options in one of the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Families living here appreciate the proximity to quality California schools like Presidio Lafayette Elementary School, Presidio Middle School, and George Washington High School. Outer Richmond residents also value being within walking distance of many iconic San Francisco attractions, including Sutro Baths, Legion of Honor Museum, Lincoln Park Steps, and Baker Beach.
Things to Do in Outer Richmond
Shoot birdies, eagles, and pars with the Golden Gate Bridge as your backdrop at Lincoln Park Golf Course. Let your kids steer the ship, climb the mast, or walk the bridge at pirate-themed Cabrillo Playground. Have tea time at the Japanese Tea Garden or take a segway tour through Golden Gate Park at the Conservatory of Flowers. Munch on popcorn during a screening at Balboa Theatre. Feast on Fried Snapper, Baked Scallops, or Stuffed Trout at Pacific Cafe. Mix the flavors of Moroccan cooking with Californian flair in dishes like Braised Lamb Shank or Whole Branzino at Aziza. Get your Southern food fix with a bowl of Gumbo Soup, Po-Boys, Cajun Meatloaf, or Spicy Fried Chicken at Hard Knox Cafe. Or savor Russian delicacies like Borsch soup, Beef Stroganoff, or Rack of Lamb at Red Tavern.
Q: Is it expensive to live in San Francisco?
A: Yes, the cost of living in San Francisco is considered fairly high, higher than both the state and national average. With that said, living in any major California city is expensive compared to smaller ones. Additionally, San Francisco’s median household income is 115% higher than the national average to help compensate for higher costs.
Outer Sunset
- Home Price: $1,023,558 median purchase price; $2,250 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 97% of San Francisco neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Part of western San Francisco (locally called The Avenues), the quiet locale of Outer Sunset is one of the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco! While still a starting point for surfers trying to catch a wave, everyone from young professionals to retirees calls this Golden Gate City neighborhood home. Families in Outer Sunset can send their kids to top-rated schools like Lowell High School, Sunset Elementary School, and Ulloa Elementary School. Because the Outer Sunset is removed from the buzz of downtown, SF residents can settle into suburban life inside brightly-colored stucco duplexes or affordable townhomes. Need to commute to The Financial District or visit Fisherman’s Wharf? Catch the Muni Bus at Sunset Blvd & Judah St.
Things to Do in Outer Sunset
Host a bonfire or watch surfers hang ten at Ocean Beach. Visit top attractions in San Francisco, like the Golden Gate Park Windmills & Tulips and Bison Paddock inside Golden Gate Park. Play your favorite tune on the Flower Piano or meditate among blooming flowers at San Francisco Botanical Garden. Snag artisanal goods or catch a live concert and local art exhibits at Mollusk Surf Shop. View contemporary works inspired by the meeting of land and water at The Great Highway. Prioritize your mind, body, and soul by taking a yoga class at Yoga Beach. Venture to nearby Andytown Coffee Roasters for a fresh-baked pastry or their signature drink: The Original Bird—an espresso cream soda. Brunch right with Boule, Dutch Pancakes, or Avocado Toast at Outerlands. Enjoy fresh seafood dishes such as Ceviche + Chips or Fish + Chips at Hook Fish Co. Or visit Devil’s Teeth Baking Company for Zucchini Fig Bread or Shortbread Shark Cookies.
Q: What is the best neighborhood in San Francisco?
A: It’s impossible to choose just one best neighborhood in San Francisco, since there are so many diverse neighborhoods with different things to offer. If you’re looking to buy a home, Outer Sunset and Castro are strategic choices, but some of the best areas in San Francisco for families are Noe Valley and Bernal Heights. When deciding where to live in the Golden Gate City, decide what’s most important to you and consider neighborhoods that best meet those criteria.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks, are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
