Comment by mrjaeger

That number is for all apartments (http://blog.sfgate.com/ontheblock/2015/06/02/san-franciscos-...). So this lumps in studios, 1 BRs, 2BRs etc. When you consider that it is (slightly) less crazy. However the median rent for a 1BR is still $3,530 (http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2015/09/03/san_franciscos_medi...).

More anecdotally it is basically impossible to get a studio for less than $2k or a 1BR for less than $2.5k-$3k. I pay ~$1700 but have 1 bedroom in a 4BR apartment. If you are willing to live with roommates rent can start to become "reasonable" (assuming a $100k+ salary), but you're kind of screwed in SF proper if you want to be on your own and pay less than $2k.