Curbed Comparisons: What $2,500 rents 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: $2,500.

↑ It’s time for another old San Francisco building versus new San Francisco building comparison for Comparisons. First off, 1520 Gough, a gleaming white Beaux Arts apartment building in Lower Pacific Heights circa 1928. Here, a one-bath studio apartment with Gothic arches is $2,495/month. The small space makes it so that virtually every part of the apartment is bay-shaped. It’s a dog-free building, but the ad does allow for cats.

↑ And then there’s Trinity Place in SoMa, with brand new buildings, 21st century Arquitectonica-designed architecture, and even San Francisco’s newest and biggest piece of public art right in the centerpiece courtyard. It may not be Beaux Arts, but even those who don’t find it beaux might be attracted to the one-bath junior one-bedroom for $2,449/month. Although studios start at $2,800/month on the Trinity site, the building manager tells Curbed SF this more affordable jr. one-bed (however liberal it is with the term) is legit. But no pets allowed—apparently even Venus can’t instill enough affection for furry friends.

↑ It’s a short jump from SoMa to Hayes Valley, but it takes us back in time to a former industrial building from 1907, one still proudly sporting its old brick interiors. They don’t make them like that anymore—intentionally so, as in the case of cities in a seismic zone. Although this particular building went through required seismic retrofit in 1994. (Alas, some landlords are still shirking it.) The result is a small but stylish rent controlled one-bath apartment with just enough room to squeeze the kitchenette into the corner. Pets are fine with extra deposit—perhaps older buildings like this are not so fragile. The price here is $2,495/month.

↑ The Sunset yields a bit more elbow room for renters in the form of a top-floor one-bedroom, one-bath apartment with just under 700 square feet at 42nd Avenue and Lincoln, right below Golden Gate Park. Can’t say much for the color from the outside, but maybe it’s trying to match the park’s green sensibilities. The interior appears more sensible for $2,495/month, maintaining a little built-in charm. Cats get a pass, but again dogs are on the outs.

↑ Finally, those looking to settle down in Noe Valley—still one of San Francisco’s most popular neighborhoods—can settle for a $2,500/month studio on Randall Avenue, one bath included. The ad calls it a furnished place, but said furnishings do not seem to appear in the photos anywhere, so the decor may end up being something of a surprise on move-in day. No word on pets.