Living costs in San Francisco, United States
City-specific institutional guidance
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Monthly cost evidence
UCSF off-campus monthly student allowances; shared housing assumptions. Insurance is not separately priced in this basket. Clinical employment benefits can differ. Source period: 2026–27 student cost of attendance. Checked 2026-10-12.
Source monthly budget: $3,228.00 · point estimate. Source ↗ This may include a different basket; it is not the sum of the planner categories.
| Category | Monthly figure (USD) | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,734.00 · point estimateOff-campus rent allowance | Source ↗2026–27 student cost of attendance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Food & daily needs | $734.00 · point estimateFood | Source ↗2026–27 student cost of attendance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Transport | $297.00 · point estimateTransportation | Source ↗2026–27 student cost of attendance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Utilities & phone | $184.00 · point estimateUtilities allowance; confirm phone coverage | Source ↗2026–27 student cost of attendance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Personal & leisure | $279.00 · point estimatePersonal expenses | Source ↗2026–27 student cost of attendance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Health insurance | Research pending | A comparable sourced figure has not been added. |
Point estimates are single published allowances, not ranges. Minimums have no researched upper bound. National and regional benchmarks do not establish local prices. Partial categories need additional quotes.
Before accepting a fellowship in San Francisco
UCSF’s linked page contains a 2023–24 historical allowance. The editable figures here are separate editorial inputs, not an inflation-adjusted official benchmark. Check current rental and health-cover quotes.
Ask your host about accommodation eligibility, health coverage and visa requirements. Confirm whether your stipend is gross or net, when the first payment arrives, and which costs are paid directly. Budget separately for deposits, travel and one-off arrival costs.
Check local services and requirements
Official links and search starting points are labelled separately. Resource links do not substantiate a cost unless cited in the evidence table.
Housing
- Local university / host guidance ↗Host guidance · eligibility varies
- Room & flatshare search ↗Longer stays · choose your city on the provider
- Booking.com · San Francisco ↗Short stays · compare dates and total price
Food & daily needs
- Find supermarkets & grocery prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Transport
- SFMTA · Muni tickets ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Find local operators & monthly passes ↗Web search · results not vetted
Utilities & phone
- Compare mobile & internet plans ↗Web search · results not vetted
- Check electricity & water costs ↗Web search · results not vetted
Personal & leisure
- Check activities & membership prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Health insurance
- HealthCare.gov · eligibility & plans ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Find visiting-fellow insurance guidance ↗Web search · results not vetted
Build your own budget
The planner supports six expense categories, stipend and funding gaps, arrival cash, saved budgets and city comparisons. Missing amounts must be entered before calculating a complete personal budget.
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