Why San Francisco
San Francisco sits at the cutting edge of the world’s knowledge-based economy. Our worker productivity doubles the national average. The region produces more patents than anywhere else in the U.S. and attracts 42% of the nation’s total venture capital investments. With robust technology and transportation infrastructures, an excellent quality of life, and one of the world’s most educated workforce, the City is an attractive business location and an excellent long-term investment.
Real estate
Like the city itself, San Francisco’s real estate markets are bustling and thriving with economic activity. While rents and housing prices are among the highest in the country, the limited vacancies and fierce competition also reveal how desirable the San Francisco area is for businesses, young professionals, and innovation. Moreover, the level of economic activity in San Francisco shows no signs of slowing.
Infrastructure & Transportation
San Francisco, now a city of over 850,000 residents, sits at the hub of extensive technological and physical infrastructures. The City is a leader in mass transit and green transportation initiatives and is served by an extensive network of seaports and rail, road and air routes. Private transportation companies like Uber and Lyft have also taken a key interest in serving the citizens of San Francisco with their unique transportation models.
Education
Key to San Francisco’s continuing success as a center for the new talent-based, innovation economy is the outstanding level of educational attainment among its workforce. A full 19.9% of City residents hold graduate degrees, more than 50% of Bay Area residents have four-year degrees or higher, and around 85% of the population have training beyond high school. Its primary and secondary education system boasts an extensive network of public and private institutions-there are more than 100 private and parochial schools in the City alone-that prepare students for the international economic environment in a dynamic multicultural setting with class sizes well below the California average.
San Francisco State University, founded in 1899 continues to be at the forefront of academic excellence. With over 30,000 students at three campuses they were the first in the nation to establish an International Relations Department and an Ethnic Studies College. The University ranks number one among master level universities for total grants in biological and physical sciences. San Francisco’s community college, City College of San Francisco provides high quality education opportunities to all populations of the city from eleven campuses-preparing students for transfer to baccalaureate institutions, achievement of Associate Degrees of Art Science, and development of career skills closely linked to the business community needs. In addition, the Bay Area is home to more than 35 colleges and universities with some of the world’s best graduate institutions and research facilities. With numerous federal and private research centers, they form a cluster representing the cutting-edge of development in technology and the life sciences.
Focus industries
San Francisco is a major center for Information Technology, Creative, Marketing & Media, Life Sciences, Cleantech and Business Services.
Learn about our Focus industries.
