San Francisco is the beating heart of the global tech industry, a city defined by its Victorian architecture, rolling fog, and unparalleled entrepreneurial spirit. For founders, developers, and creatives, it is the place to be. However, the housing market here is legendary for the wrong reasons: sky-high rents, fierce competition, and strict lease requirements that can make settling in daunting.
Coliving operators in San Francisco have evolved to solve these exact problems. They offer a "plug-and-play" lifestyle in neighbourhoods like SoMa, the Mission, and Pacific Heights. By bundling utilities, furniture, and cleaning into one flexible monthly payment, they allow new arrivals to bypass the stress of the traditional rental market. More importantly, they provide an instant network in a city where your next co-founder might be making coffee in your shared kitchen.
While the "Coliving Premium" exists, the value of walking into a fully furnished Victorian home with high-speed mesh Wi-Fi and a built-in community is unbeatable. The list below covers the top operators you need to know.
For a quick overview of the best options, here is the full list at a glance:
Top San Francisco Coliving Companies (Quick Reference)
- Tribe: A community-focused operator often catering to founders and tech talent in shared Victorian homes.
- Hive: A popular coliving provider in SoMa offering affordable shared and private rooms with a strong social vibe.
- 908 Coliving: A specific, highly-rated community house in the heart of the city known for its entrepreneurial spirit.
- Startcity: (Legacy/Acquired) A pioneer in high-density coliving, now largely integrated into the Habyt/Common network.
- Outsite: The global standard for digital nomads, offering a premium workspace-focused house in Pacific Heights.
- Hackerhome: A tech-centric housing network with locations across the Bay Area (Mountain View/South Bay) focused on engineers.
- Crashpadz: A budget-friendly, bunk-style living solution primarily designed for commuters and flight crew.
- Vybe: (Vybe Living) A major operator offering fully furnished homes across the Bay Area with a focus on eliminating rental friction.
- Foundry Coliving: (Found Study) A student and intern-focused provider offering flexible, furnished rooms in central locations.
- RentSFNow: A major property management firm offering distinct apartments; acts as a bridge between coliving and private leasing.
- Homestay Bay: A platform connecting tenants with local hosts for long-term homestays rather than managed coliving buildings.
- UrbaNests: (Urbanests) A budget-conscious operator offering affordable, no-frills accommodation in SoMa and Downtown.
Tribe
Tribe focuses on curating a community of ambitious individuals, often attracting founders and tech workers. They typically operate out of large, classic San Francisco Victorian homes, turning them into hubs for networking and social growth.
Location: Operates houses at 1040 Folsom St (SoMa) and 219 6th St. These locations are central to the startup ecosystem and downtown offices.
Website: https://www.tribecoliving.com
Pricing: Mid-Range pricing starts at $1,000/mo for shared rooms and $1,700/mo for private rooms. Rates often decrease for longer lease commitments.
Deposit: Standard deposit applies. Usually equivalent to one month's rent to secure the spot within the community.
Rental Terms: Flexible terms start with month-to-month options. Longer 4-month leases are encouraged to build stronger relationships among residents.
Amenities: Features coworking areas, game rooms, and community dinners. The value proposition is heavily weighted on the human network and social events.
Hive
Hive Coliving is one of the most active operators in the city, known for its friendly atmosphere and accessible pricing. Their SoMa location is a hub for international students, interns, and young professionals starting their SF journey.
Location: Located at 1040 Folsom St, SoMa. A strategic spot for interns working at nearby tech giants like Uber, Airbnb, and X (Twitter).
Website: https://www.hivecolivingsf.com
Pricing: Affordable rates start from $700 for triples and $1,275 for private rooms. A flat monthly utility fee of approx $150 covers all bills and supplies.
Deposit: Standard deposit is required. The process is streamlined for quick move-ins, often within days of approval.
Rental Terms: Month-to-month leases offer maximum flexibility. Discounts are available for signing an initial 4-month term.
Amenities: Includes daily cleaning of common areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, and house supplies. Residents enjoy a massive communal living room and organized potluck dinners.
908 Coliving
908 Coliving is a specific, well-regarded house that functions as a tight-knit community for entrepreneurs and creatives. It offers a more intimate experience than the large corporate towers, often feeling like a large family home.
Location: Located at 908 Broadway, Russian Hill. This prestigious address puts you near Chinatown and North Beach dining.
Website: https://908colivingsf.com
Pricing: Mid-to-High Range, with private rooms starting from $2,300 to $3,300 per month. Pricing reflects the prime Russian Hill location and house quality.
Deposit: Standard deposit applies. Usually $1,000+ depending on the room tier selected.
Rental Terms: 1-month minimum stay. Designed for mid-term professionals who want to plug into a productive environment immediately.
Amenities: Features breakfast ingredients included and backyard access. It attracts a "hacker house" demographic looking for productivity and peer learning.
Startcity
Status Note: Starcity was a major player in SF coliving but was acquired by Common (now part of Habyt). Their properties are now managed under these larger networks. You should check the Habyt/Common websites for their inventory.
Location: Formerly operated large hubs in SoMa and the Mission. Properties are now integrated into the global Habyt network.
Website: https://www.habyt.com
Pricing: Mid-Range. Pricing aligns with the broader Habyt portfolio standards for the city.
Deposit: Standard. Managed through the centralized Habyt leasing system.
Rental Terms: Flexible. Stays cater to the global mobile workforce with digital lease management.
Amenities: Large communal kitchens and event spaces. Residents gain access to the wider network of properties.
Outsite
Outsite is the premium standard for digital nomads. Their San Francisco location in Pacific Heights offers a quieter, more upscale environment compared to the gritty startup vibe of SoMa. It is designed for professionals who need guaranteed workspace quality.
Location: Located in Pacific Heights, near Lafayette Park. A scenic, affluent neighborhood offering views of the Bay and safe, walkable streets.
Website: https://www.outsite.co
Pricing: Member Rates start from approx $130/night or $2,730/month. Pricing includes access to the global community and workspace guarantee.
Deposit: Minimal deposit or booking hold. The system is designed for ease of travel for members.
Rental Terms: Flexible terms from daily to monthly. Perfect for nomads who want a high-end, productive base for a few weeks.
Amenities: Vetted workspace, Herman Miller chairs, and community manager. Residents have access to a large kitchen and lounge in a beautiful Victorian home.
Hackerhome
Hackerhome caters specifically to the software engineering crowd. While "San Francisco" is the keyword, many of their locations are in the South Bay (Mountain View, Palo Alto) to serve Silicon Valley commuters, though they are a key resource for the SF tech ecosystem.
Location: Network covers Bay Area wide, with focus on Mountain View and Palo Alto. Locations are chosen for proximity to Google, Meta, and Stanford.
Website: Check listings on Airbnb or HackerHome platforms. They function as a network of independent tech-focused houses.
Pricing: Affordable. Bunk/Shared options are designed for intern budgets, often starting under $1,000/month.
Deposit: Standard. Terms vary by the specific house host.
Rental Terms: Flexible. Ideal for summer internships or boot camp attendees.
Amenities: Desks, monitors, and coding-focused environment. The "amenity" is the network of other engineers living with you.
Crashpadz
Crashpadz offers ultra-budget accommodation primarily targeting flight attendants, pilots, and commuters. It is a "bunk bed" model designed for sleeping and basic living rather than luxury lifestyle.
Location: Located near SFO Airport and Daly City. Strategic spots for easy access to terminals and transit.
Website: https://crashpad411.com
Pricing: Budget rates average $425 per month for a bunk. Daily rates are available for short layovers.
Deposit: Low. Designed to be accessible for crew members on tight schedules.
Rental Terms: Monthly. Very flexible, catering to the unpredictable schedules of airline staff.
Amenities: Basic sleeping quarters and shared bathroom. Focus is entirely on affordability and a place to sleep.
Vybe
Vybe Living is a major operator in the Bay Area, managing a scattered portfolio of fully furnished homes. They master lease single-family homes and rent out rooms individually, handling all the utilities and cleaning coordination.
Location: Homes scattered across San Francisco (Haight, Mission) and Daly City. HQ is listed at 2201 Market St.
Website: https://www.vybeliving.com
Pricing: Mid-Range. Rooms typically range from $1,200 - $1,800 per month. Pricing includes utilities and regular common area cleaning.
Deposit: Standard deposit applies. Terms are clear and managed professionally.
Rental Terms: Flexible. They aim to remove the friction of finding housemates and setting up utilities.
Amenities: Fully furnished common areas and monthly cleaning. Rent includes utilities and internet, simplifying the "roommate" experience.
Foundry Coliving
The Foundry (often associated with FOUND Study) offers student and intern housing. Their San Francisco locations are centrally located and offer a bridge between a dormitory and a private apartment.
Location: Located at 25 Mason St (Mid-Market). A central location walking distance to Union Square and BART stations.
Website: https://www.foundstudy.com
Pricing: Mid-Range. Private rooms start from approx $1,900/mo, with shared options around $1,600/mo.
Deposit: Standard deposit ($1,000 - $1,950). Application fees may apply.
Rental Terms: Academic/Flexible. Leases are available for semesters or summer terms, perfect for interns.
Amenities: 24-hour security, laundry, and community kitchen. Residents get access to discounts at FOUND hotels nationwide.
RentSFNow
RentSFNow is not a "coliving" operator in the communal sense (shared kitchens with strangers), but they are the largest landlord for renovated, furnished, and unfurnished apartments in the city. They are the go-to for nomads who want their own private studio with a streamlined digital leasing process.
Location: City-wide dominance in neighborhoods like Nob Hill, Marina, and Russian Hill. They manage hundreds of iconic art-deco buildings.
Website: https://www.rentsfnow.com
Pricing: Market Rate. Renovated studios typically start from $2,000+ per month. Furnished options carry a premium.
Deposit: Standard. Security deposit is usually one month's rent or lower with good credit.
Rental Terms: 12-month standard, but flexible lease options appear occasionally for specific furnished units.
Amenities: Keyless entry, renovated interiors, and pet-friendly policies. Buildings are professionally managed with an online resident portal.
Homestay Bay
Homestay Bay is a platform connecting tenants with local hosts. Unlike managed coliving, this is about living in someone's spare room. It offers a quieter, more local experience often at a lower price point.
Location: City-wide listings. You can find hosts in residential districts often overlooked by corporate coliving.
Website: https://www.homestaybay.com
Pricing: Affordable. Prices are set by hosts and are often lower than commercial rentals.
Deposit: Varies. Negotiated directly with the host.
Rental Terms: Flexible. Great for students or those wanting a "family" feel.
Amenities: Varies by host. Usually includes a furnished room and kitchen access.
UrbaNests
UrbaNests (Urbanests) provides budget-friendly, no-frills accommodation. They are one of the most accessible options for students and those on a tight budget who need to be in the city center.
Location: Locations include 221 7th St (SoMa) and 566 Post St. These are high-density, central areas near transit.
Website: https://www.urbanests.com
Pricing: Budget pricing. Studios range from $595 (shared) to $1,095+ (private). One of the cheapest entry points to SF living.
Deposit: Standard. Usually starts at $995 depending on the unit type.
Rental Terms: Flexible leases. 1-12 month options are available to suit varying needs.
Amenities: Wi-Fi, shared kitchenettes, and basic furnishings. Expect functional, compact living spaces rather than luxury.
San Francisco's rental market is a beast, but it is tamable if you know where to look.
- The Neighborhood "Vibe Check": Your experience of San Francisco will depend entirely on where you sleep. SoMa (Hive, UrbaNests) is the logical choice for interns and founders who want to walk to HQ, but be warned: it is gritty, concrete-heavy, and street safety can vary block-by-block. If you want the "Postcard SF" experience - rolling hills, Victorian architecture, and fog - look for operators like Outsite in Pacific Heights or 908 Coliving in Russian Hill.
- The "Hacker House" Advantage: San Francisco invented the "Hacker House." Places like 908 Coliving or Tribe are not just places to sleep; they are accelerators for your life. You are paying a premium ($1,700+) not for the bed, but for the conversation happening in the kitchen at 11 PM with a founder who might hire you. If you are in tech, the ROI on these connections often outweighs the rent.
- Density vs. Privacy: Be realistic about what "Affordable" means here. In SF, a $900 rent (like at Hive or Crashpadz) usually means a bunk bed or a triple room. If you need privacy for Zoom calls, you must budget $1,600+ for a private room or $2,000+ for a studio at RentSFNow.
- Safety First: When booking budget options in the Tenderloin or parts of SoMa/Mid-Market (where Foundry and UrbaNests are located), use Google Street View to check the specific block. Coliving buildings are secure, but the commute home at night is a factor you should consider.
Want to get your coliving space listed? Contact us to be featured in this guide.