A gateway to the Pacific Rim, boosted by Silicon Valley and Stanford University’s high technology development, San Francisco has one of the highest costs of living in the nation for housing, food and other consumer goods. San Francisco’s cost of living is 187, which means it is 87.23 percent higher than the US average. San Francisco’s cost of living, however, is compensated by the highest initial salaries in the nation and a strong performance attracting and retaining companies.

The average household income is $57,833, which places San Francisco 57th in the nation. Half the nation average or only 12.2 percent of residents live in poverty reflecting a strong service economy powered by a high-income base (7.5 percent for White Non-Hispanic residents, 26.6 percent for Black residents, 18.6 percent for Hispanic or Latino residents, 21.2 percent for other race residents). A high percentage of the educated workforce in high paying industries has developed expensive tastes and lifestyles. San Francisco tops all US cities on health and wellness measurements.

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete San Francisco guide.