What $5,200 rents you 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: $5,200.

When it comes to pricey SF condos, they’re not all created equal: First, take the case of this one-bed, one-and-a-half bath unit at the circa-2015 Lumina building, the most typical example of an high-rise East Cut condo as any found in the wild. Measuring over 1,000 square feet in size, this home features quartz counters, porcelain floors, a balcony, and a rotisserie oven in the kitchen. The building also throws in perks like private bar and dining room, pet grooming station, movie theater, valet parking, and rooftop barbecue patio. In short, exactly the kind of apartment anybody would expect to find renters shelling out $5,200 per month for in SF. The lease allows dogs to take advantage of that pet station, but doesn’t permit cats.

Next up, this competing unit in SoMa, which features a different aesthetic sensibilities. This home is a 2005 warehouse loft conversion inside a circa-1920s space (the ad mentions that the facility was originally used as a studio for building stage sets). The unit on offer comes with two beds, two baths, and roughly 1,700 square feet. Here it’s all high ceilings, exposed aluminum and concrete, and, unusual for a home with such a large floor plan, a Murphy bed, upstairs where space is a bit tighter. Disappointingly, no pets allowed.

Renters hoping to balance the best of both worlds may find themselves swayed by the pitch of this “prime” flat in Noe Valley that, like many rentals on market these days, underwent a recent renovation to balance out “period details” with “modern upgrades.” This rent-controlled home comes with three beds and one and a half baths. Both the kitchen and the main bathroom show unmistakable signs of the aforementioned renovation—get a load of that backsplash. The rent comes with $5,195 per month (extra if you want to use the garage for parking). That figure is also a contemporary touch, albeit a less welcome one, and here’s an unpopular classic to go with it: no pets.

For renters who don’t want to settle for anything less than a full house if they’re paying $5,200 per month to live in SF should check out this place in Bernal Heights. Located one block away from Holly Park, this home, situated behind a sea green stucco facade, sports two beds and two baths (specifically billed as “contemporary baths”), hardwood floors, a backyard that could use some TLC, and a two-car garage. The landlords will allow pets as long as they’re on the small side. Note: The fireplace in the living room is only for looks, but at least it’s a handsome addition.

Last up, this apartment in Cow Hollow spreads out over three bedrooms and two baths in a Victorian apartment building that the city dates to 1907. It’s one thing to sport an all-white interior, but in this case it really is all-white—living room, kitchen, baths, bedrooms, and even the exterior of the building itself fits the color scheme (or lack of it). There’s garage parking and pets are allowed, but both together drive up the rent nearly $450—without them the place is $5,195.