Government budget and revenue in San Francisco, California: official figures
San Francisco's city government took in $18.2 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $22,501 for each of its 808,437 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 2nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does San Francisco spend and on what?
It spent $22.1 billion in the same year, $27,288 per resident, the 2nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were public health (15.9%), public transit (11.2%) and public welfare (7.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does San Francisco collect per resident?
Taxes raised $6.1 billion ($7,550 per resident, the 3rd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 36.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does San Francisco rely on?
Of San Francisco's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 53.0%, general sales tax 8.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 8.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; San Francisco's property tax share is the 273rd lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does San Francisco get?
Payments from other governments made up 24.3% of San Francisco's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.5% from the federal government ($1,152 per resident), 13.2% from the state and 5.6% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Francisco raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $5.2 billion, 30.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $1.3 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Francisco spend on police?
San Francisco's city government spent $866.38 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $1,072 per resident (the 4th highest of 582) and 3.9% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Francisco spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $479.33 million, $593 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does San Francisco have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, San Francisco's city government owed $25.8 billion in long-term debt, $31,933 per resident (the highest of 582). During the year it issued $3.5 billion of new long-term debt and repaid $4.2 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Francisco pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $795.37 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 3.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the San Francisco city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 22.0% from $18,451 to $22,501, spending per resident rose 37.0% to $27,288, taxes per resident rose 11.4% to $7,550.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow San Francisco compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 2 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $27,899 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $18,451 |
| 3 | New York | $15,132 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $14,592 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $11,741 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $9,717 |
| 7 | Santa Monica | $8,672 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 2 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $28,881 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $19,918 |
| 3 | New York | $17,135 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $13,664 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $12,087 |
| 6 | Palo Alto | $11,900 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | $10,842 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 3 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $14,365 |
| 2 | New York | $8,414 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $6,777 |
| 4 | Newton | $4,982 |
| 5 | Miami Beach | $4,949 |
| 6 | Cambridge | $4,761 |
| 7 | Stamford | $4,634 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 7 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Santa Monica | $1,079 |
| 5 | Corona | $956 |
| 6 | Washington | $943 |
| 7 | San Francisco | $890 |
| 8 | Lafayette | $870 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $860 |
| 10 | Mooresville | $850 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 1 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $26,603 |
| 2 | Washington | $25,936 |
| 3 | Salt Lake City | $20,122 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $16,205 |
| 5 | New York | $15,407 |
| 6 | Atlanta | $15,138 |
| 7 | San Mateo | $14,778 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 366 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 363 | Miami Gardens | 51.4% |
| 364 | Port St. Lucie | 51.1% |
| 365 | Rockford | 50.7% |
| 366 | San Francisco | 50.6% |
| 367 | Victoria | 50.3% |
| 368 | Reno | 50.2% |
| 369 | Burleson | 50.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Francisco ranks 154 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | Gardena | 30.2% |
| 152 | Ocoee | 30.2% |
| 153 | Huntington Park | 30.1% |
| 154 | San Francisco | 30.1% |
| 155 | Flagstaff | 30.0% |
| 156 | Erie | 29.9% |
| 157 | Marana | 29.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 2 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $32,072 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $22,501 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $16,285 |
| 4 | New York | $15,337 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $13,483 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $11,999 |
| 7 | Miami Beach | $11,537 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 2 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $32,869 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $27,288 |
| 3 | New York | $18,485 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $17,034 |
| 5 | Palo Alto | $13,262 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $12,680 |
| 7 | Gulfport | $12,337 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 3 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $15,543 |
| 2 | New York | $8,779 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $7,550 |
| 4 | Miami Beach | $6,514 |
| 5 | Cambridge | $5,575 |
| 6 | Boston | $5,508 |
| 7 | Newton | $5,294 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 4 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Beach | $1,776 |
| 2 | Santa Monica | $1,337 |
| 3 | Washington | $1,121 |
| 4 | San Francisco | $1,072 |
| 5 | Cleveland | $1,065 |
| 6 | Lafayette | $1,029 |
| 7 | Newport Beach | $954 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 1 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $31,933 |
| 2 | Washington | $28,409 |
| 3 | Atlanta | $17,934 |
| 4 | New York | $16,465 |
| 5 | Nashville | $16,121 |
| 6 | Miami Beach | $15,675 |
| 7 | Lansing | $14,340 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 308 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 305 | Daytona Beach | 53.3% |
| 306 | Yonkers | 53.3% |
| 307 | El Paso | 53.3% |
| 308 | San Francisco | 53.0% |
| 309 | Fishers | 52.8% |
| 310 | Gresham | 52.7% |
| 311 | Brookhaven | 52.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
San Francisco ranks 208 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Warren | 24.5% |
| 206 | Corvallis | 24.5% |
| 207 | Vacaville | 24.3% |
| 208 | San Francisco | 24.3% |
| 209 | Surprise | 24.2% |
| 210 | Lancaster | 24.2% |
| 211 | Pembroke Pines | 24.1% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
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