What $3,200 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 is another person’s townhouse? Today’s price: $3,200.

↑ Sagamore Street is an Oceanview avenue that lies so far south it’s almost not even in San Francisco. Nevertheless it’s right above the grade and the site of a three-bed, one-and-a-half-bath duplex (this ad covers the top apartment) asking $3,200/month. “Large and bright living room, hardwood floor, remodeled kitchen, stainless steel appliances,” says the ad, while also declaring it a “beautiful house,” though opinion may be split on the very, very tan facade, which by rights could use an update. Sadly, the terms don’t allow pets.

↑ Well, this Hayes Valley building, circa 1915, is definitely not tan, and indeed it seems surprisingly confident and comfortable in soft-pink exterior. Last time this place on Fell Street popped up on Comparisons, it offered a tiny toehold of a studio for $2,300, but this time the prospect is a considerably larger one-bed, one-bath apartment (with a little elbow room in the kitchen) looking to fetch the commensurately larger price of $3,100. But again, no pets allowed.

↑ Speaking of buildings with supremely confident exteriors, the One Powell Lofts, located next to a cable car turnaround and down the street from Union Square, make an enduring statement. The firm Wilson-Meany renovated this circa-1921 building over a decade ago, dubbing it “an eight-story landmark on a pedestrian packed corner [...] topped by five floors of luxury lofts.” And the price of that luxury is now $3,200 for one-bed and one-bath seventh-floor loft in the landmark overlooking several landmarks. “Please ask about pet policy” is all the ad says in regards to animal allowances.

↑ And here’s a one-bed, one-bath apartment that’s lost—advertised in the Financial District but in fact sitting smack in North Beach, right at the foot of Pioneer Park and in the shadow of Coit Tower. “The unit boasts a nice, open living and dining room layout with fully updated kitchen,” according to the leasing agent’s pitch, which notes that the “bedroom is good-sized and would fit a queen bed” and that a new tab and vanity were just loaded into the bath. But the ad is also curiously (if by now characteristically) mum about whether the place allows pets.

↑ Finally, here’s a little piece of Noe Valley that includes a one-bed, one-bath apartment that opens up into a “lovely backyard filled with palms and a lemon tree” surrounding a brick patio and itself boasts “queen-sized bed, spacious kitchen and comfortable living room” with track lighting throughout. Still no light to be shed on whether renters can bring their pets along; San Francisco’s dog-eat-dog housing environment keeps everyone guessing.