Curbed Comparisons: What $3,400 rents you in San Francisco right now

Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a regular column exploring what you can rent for a set dollar amount in different neighborhoods. Is one person's studio another person's townhouse? Let's find out. Today's price: $3,400, just about San Francisco’s median rent this month.

↑ A live/work loft at SoMa’s Clocktower Building proved quite popular during Tuesday’s pricier Comparisons, so how could we not bring up one of its neighbors first? This smaller one-bed, one-bath place (900 square feet) for $3,395/month doesn’t present as well as the previous unit, but it remains of the neighborhood’s all-time great buildings, and lovers of exposed brick won’t know what to do with themselves. No mention here of pets.

↑ On the subject of great old buildings, we also have an apartment in a four-unit Victorian in the Haight, immediately next to Buena Vista Park. The flat, with one bedroom, one bath, and 600 square feet for $3,400/month, throws the built-ins and track lighting at you, but is selling mainly on the strength of the garden right outside, which does indeed have a tranquil and charming look to it. No pets, though; maybe they don’t want anything digging up the flower beds.

↑ If one Victorian isn’t enough for you to choose from, we do have a second contender in Potrero Hill just east of the freeway on Rhode Island Street. The flat here is top floor, one bed and bath, and refreshingly pet friendly. Also: Lots of French doors. Any more French doors and this place might need a green card. Again, you’re looking at $3,400/month.

↑ The clear favorite for best location lies at the corner of Church and 20th Street, an apartment facing Dolores Park and the J Church line. Nice views in San Francisco are so common you almost stop noticing them, but in this case it’s the view from Dolores Park, justly one of the most famous in the city. Again a strike-out for cats and dogs for your $3,400/month.

↑ If you’re longing for a second bedroom (which isn’t unreasonable, since this is the median $3,400/month city rent we’re looking at here), you can indeed get one in the Sunset around Eighth Avenue. This top-floor flat isn’t even the largest of our five rentals today, but it is the only one that comes with room for two. The Tudor arches look a little out of place, but they’re a nice touch. Despite the proximity to Golden Gate Park, it’s yet another pet-free building; it’s one of those days.