What $2,900 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? Today’s price: $2,900.

Here’s a home at a crossroads, advertised as “near lovely Bernal, Noe Valley, and Glen Park,” which is indeed a fair assessment of the spot at the beginning of San Jose Avenue. At that singular spot, a “sunny south-facing apartment” hopes that one bedroom, one bath, hardwood floors, “nice open floor plan,” and “skylight in remodeled bathroom” will attract renters to the tri-cornered locale who want to pay $2,900 per month. Note that as the place is on the small side, measuring 650 square feet, so the open floor plan is somewhat by default. No pets allowed, unfortunately.

This apartment in the Richmond, just above Golden Gate Park on Fulton Street, is advertised as smaller at 600 feet, but is nevertheless billed as a two-bedroom, one-bath place. Although the language here is potentially finicky: “Apartment has two rooms used as bedrooms and a kitchen,” suggesting that one bedroom may actually be a converted living room. Whatever the layout, the apartment is “on the top floor in a beautiful Art Deco building.” That building is 4930 Fulton, a structure that dates to 1939—the ad doesn’t show off the exteriors but, via the magic of Google, prospective renters can judge its Deco credentials on their own. No dogs allowed, but cats are okay. Rent is $2,795 per month.

Art Deco fans might like the interior angles of this home in Nob Hill at 665 Pine Street better. Pet lovers will appreciate it more, although bringing along animal companions will tag an extra $40 onto the rental price, which is already $2,895 per month for a studio that paces out to 432 square feet, with a snug bolthole of a kitchen. Speaking of homes at crossroads, this place is up the hill from the main drag of Chinatown, including the Dragon Gate and St. Mary’s Square.

This Marina apartment building has to deal with some tricky angles too, with a lobby that makes an attempt at class—just look at that deep, cranberry red carpet—but is overshadowed by a looming ceiling that gives the setup a bunker-like quality. By contrast, the “spacious lovely studio” upstairs looks bright and open, and the carpet gives way to hardwood. But it’s another pet-free building, so the welcoming vibe only extends so far. It’s $2,900 per month.

Finally, a “charming and cozy apartment in a six-unit building” on Fell Street in Hayes Valley is also $2,900 per month for one bedroom and one bathroom. The ad highlights “hardwood floors” and a “recently remodel bathroom”—both familiar refrains for modern apartment hunters—but also “no pets, please.”