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How to Find the Right Roommate in San Francisco
Rent in San Francisco is one of the most expensive in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that many people end up living with roommates. However, the wrong roommate can be a nightmare to deal with. That doesn’t mean you have to find someone you know to move in with or that you have to just take your chances. If you’re looking for someone to move in with you or you’re looking for a room to rent and want to start off with a roommate, we can help you find the perfect roommate.
Average Apartment Rent Prices in San Francisco
Many people move to SF to take part of the bustling tech scene, experience the big city life, or just to enjoy everything that San Francisco and the Bay Area has to offer. Living in SF and the Bay Area will allow you to enjoy a variety of parks, wine tasting day trips to Napa and Sonoma Valley, and an abundance of world class restaurants. Ready to move? Make sure you are not surprised at just how high rent can be.
While rents in SF have gone down recently due to the pandemic, they are still one of the highest nationwide and expected to go back up. A one-bedroom average rent is around $2,650 per month while a two-bedroom will go for $3,495. If you want to live large in neighborhoods like Pac Heights, South Beach, Mission Bay, Marina, Financial District or Cow Hollow expect to pay a lot. An average two bedroom apartment in those areas will go for ~$4,000 or more. More affordable neighborhoods with an average rent of under $3,500 (2 Bedroom) include The Mission, Castro, Outer Sunset or Laurel Heights. For much more affordable apartments, look to live in neighborhoods like Outer Richmond, Tenderloin, Central Sunset, or Excelsior. You’ll be able to split the rent of under $3,000 with a roommate.
Stepping outside of SF itself can lower the cost of rent, but depending where it might not be a lot. In Silicon Valley rent ranges from $2,200 to $2,500 for a one-bedroom, in places like Cupertino, Palo Alto, Menlo Park and San Jose. You may also consider living in the East Bay area, in Oakland, Hayward, Almeda, or Union City where the rents are more affordable. There, you could find a one-bedroom apartment for around $2,000 per month and splitting a place with a roommate will get you even more savings. As you could tell, where you live can make a huge difference in what you’ll pay for rent.
How Diggz Can Help you Find San Francisco Roommates
Everyone is different, so finding the right roommate or room for rent isn’t always that easy. But we have your back. First, tell us a little about yourself. Start with the basics such as your budget, move date and preferred areas. Then, tell us about your lifestyle and preferences, such as your schedule, habits and sociability. By knowing more about you, our algorithm can better match you with potential roommates with similar lifestyles and preferences. Once you complete the signup, you can interact with potential roommates who we will present to you based on the best fit.
Use Our SF Roommate Finder to Make Searching Easier
There are a lot of people that are looking for roommates and rooms at any given time in San Francisco. But with our roommate finder, you’ll be able to pick out the right ones for you. After signup, we'll present the top prospects that will be a good fit for you. Using the filters you can further narrow down prospects, then review the profiles of your favorite potential roommates. You can contact those you want to learn more about with a message or a "like". You’ll be able to chat with them directly on our platform, and schedule to meet in person if they seem as a good fit. It can be that easy to find a roommate that’s going to be a perfect match for you.
If the career and business opportunities, diverse culture, and epic scenery of San Francisco seems to be a perfect fit for you, start looking through our roommate search now. You’ll find plenty of people in SF who are looking for a roommate, which means it’ll be easy for you to find the perfect person to live with. Check out all Diggz has to offer to find the perfect roommate today.
Related Blog Posts to Help You Look for Roommates in San Francisco CA:
Whether you're new to the city or have been here for years, our blog posts offer practical tips to help you find the perfect SF roommate:
- Not sure where to start? Read our How To Find Roommates Guide for a step-by-step guide on when, where, how, and what to look for.
- Meeting your future roomie prospect? Check out our Roommate Questionnaire to cover all the basics and more.
- Once you find a new roommate, use our Roommate Agreement Checklist to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Not sure what to include in your roommate profile? We'll guide you on all the essentials to include in your Roommate Bio.
- Moving to the US to attend College in San Francisco? Don't miss our International Student Housing Guide
FAQs about Finding Roommates in San Francisco:
What is the best place to find a roommate in San Francisco?
Diggz is one of the leading roommate-finder platforms available for San Francisco. With thousands of users, easy-to-use messaging, and flexible filters, finding the right roommate becomes simple. While Facebook groups and Reddit can also be used, Diggz stands out by offering verified profiles and personalized matches, ensuring high-quality inquiries from prospective roommates.
Who typically is looking for roommates in San Francisco?
Our data indicates that the average roommate seeker in San Francisco is 29 years old with a monthly budget of about $978. Gender-wise, 51% identify as women, 46% as men, and 3% as non-binary. San Francisco attracts young professionals, remote workers, and students looking for affordable, flexible housing solutions.
Does it cost anything to sign up or use Diggz?
No, using Diggz is free. You can search for roommates, create room listings, and send messages at no charge. You can also upgrade to Diggz Premium for extra features and higher visibility.
How does Diggz match me with potential roommates?
Diggz’s algorithm matches users based on lifestyle, personality, and housing preferences. The best matches appear at the top of your search results. To improve visibility, complete your profile and verify your account. Learn more about our Matching Algorithm.
How long does it take for my roommate listing to be live?
Your profile goes live immediately after completion. Other users can find your listing right away, and you can start messaging potential roommates as soon as you sign up.
Can I find a roommate to team up with me to find a place?
Yes! Many members on Diggz are not just looking for rooms but also for partners to rent a new place together. This is a common way users on our platform find housing.
How does Diggz ensure profiles are genuine and safe?
We combine AI-powered detection tools with manual reviews to detect and remove spam and suspicious profiles, keeping Diggz a safe space to find roommates. Several verification methods, including ID, phone, and social network checks, are available for added security. We encourage users to meet in public or schedule video calls before making commitments.
How secure is my data on Diggz?
Your data is protected with end-to-end encryption, and we comply with GDPR/CCPA standards. We never sell your personal information, and all data is deleted permanently when you close your account. Regular security audits help us maintain the highest standards in data protection.
Search for Roommates in Popular Areas around San Francisco & the Bay Area:
- San Jose: A vibrant city in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering tech jobs and a bustling urban lifestyle.
- Berkeley: Home to UC Berkeley, this city has a mix of academia and a vibrant cultural scene.
- Santa Cruz: A coastal town with a relaxed vibe, perfect for beach lovers.
- Oakland: Known for its diverse culture and art scene, offering more affordable rent compared to San Francisco.
- Napa: Famous for its vineyards and picturesque landscapes, Napa is ideal for wine enthusiasts.
- Hayward: A suburban city offering affordable housing options while being close to the Bay Area's main hubs.
- Fairfield: A quiet community known for its scenic views and proximity to Napa Valley.
- Concord: A growing city with affordable rent and easy access to public transportation.
- Fremont: Located in the East Bay, Fremont offers a suburban feel with strong job opportunities.
- Antioch: A budget-friendly option with access to nature and outdoor activities.
- Richmond: An affordable Bay Area option with a rich industrial history and waterfront views.
Explore Off-Campus Housing and Roommates in the San Francisco Area:
San Francisco is home to a number of prestigious universities. If you’re looking for student-friendly rooms or shared housing near campus, explore these off-campus housing options:
- UC Berkeley: Explore housing options close to this world-renowned university.
- Santa Clara University (SCU): Ideal for students looking for shared apartments near campus.
- California College of the Arts (CCA): Options in San Francisco’s Design District.
- Academy of Art University: A creative hub with housing available near the arts community.
- Golden Gate University (GGU): Convenient housing options near downtown San Francisco.
- International Technological University (ITU): Explore affordable rooms near tech hubs in Silicon Valley.
- City College of San Francisco (CCSF): Find budget-friendly rooms in the city and nearby neighborhoods.
- San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM): Housing options near music venues and cultural spots.
- San Jose State University (SJSU): Students can explore shared apartments and rooms close to campus in San Jose.
- San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCD): Affordable options in the Peninsula for community college students.
- San Francisco State University (SFSU): Find rooms for rent near the Sunset District and surrounding areas.
- Sonoma State University: Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of wine country while living near campus.
- UC Santa Cruz - Silicon Valley Campus: Off-campus housing options near this cutting-edge tech research hub.
- Looking for other options? Browse Off-Campus Housing near San Francisco for more rooms available around local universities.