What $2,500 rents in SF 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? Today’s price: $2,500.

In Hunters Point, $2,500 per month rents “a true combination of luxury and lifestyle,” or so the ad here would like you to believe. That means a “partial ocean view”—which surely must be a bay view, geography being what it is—open concept living space, quartz countertops, glass mosaic backsplash, a “full home automation package,” and even a private neighborhood shuttle connecting residents to downtown. As you can tell from the look of the place, 51 Innes is a new construction and dates to 2017; the townhouse is one bed, one bath, 720 square feet, and allows all pets.

And in Pacific Heights, a studio on Broderick Street in a circa-2004 building hopes to capitalize on some of that same energy by offering “ridiculous amenities.” But those amenities seem pretty basic, including things like “window coverings” and “cable ready” hookups. Alas, $2,495 per month isn’t quite a luxury tier at market rates. All of the natural gray tones and static-like backsplash in the kitchen sure do look contemporary, though. Cats and dogs are both a go here, although they up the rent by $40.

That same palette tells prospective renters that this cottage in the Excelsior is also newly renovated, although the owners kept the cherry-red flooring rather than replace it with a wide-plank gray floor. Being the Excelsior, this is almost the biggest place on the list for $2,500 per month; in this case, that means that it’s one bed, one bath, and 600 square feet, with no leeway for pets included.

Lower Pac Heights does have the sleight edge in this case, as this “cozy” junior-one-bedroom apartment measures a bit larger—650 square feet—and costs a bit less, albeit for all of five dollars per month, coming out to $2,495. This unit is definitely not renovated, still sporting carpets and a slightly weird layout that suggest an aesthetic of many years ago. “It also has a small lofted area great for storage or use for guest,” the ad says, although the area is more like a pedestal. Letting pets in might tip renters in favor of this one.

For the last call, here’s a “bright studio with amazing views” in the Western Addition, near Ellis and Gough. The offering promises “there is a large and sunny common backyard,” an open floor plan with an alcove for a bed, and boxy fireplace, but no pets. The advertised views face to the south.