Across a broad range of priorities, the San Francisco Insights survey finds a city marked by optimism and civic pride, highlighting shared priorities for San Francisco’s future. The results point to a clear consensus on the central role a strong economy plays in shaping the city, while also shedding light on its strengths and challenges.
San Francisco voters broadly support a strong business environment. They tend to see business as a driver of jobs, opportunity, and the city’s overall health.
Nine in ten voters agree that attracting and retaining businesses is important to San Francisco and that a positive business climate is essential to the city’s future. There is also broad agreement that large businesses are important employers. Most voters support keeping business taxes competitive with other cities as a way to retain businesses in San Francisco.
Among those who work in-person, three-quarters work in San Francisco, while one-quarter commute outside the city, and nearly two-thirds are in the office four or more days a week. This underscores the continued importance of local jobs, employers, and economic activity anchored in the city.
Innovation remains a defining part of San Francisco’s identity—and a source of optimism about its future. Most voters agree that San Francisco is a center for innovation, and nearly two-thirds say it is exciting that the city is a hub for AI and technology innovation.
About half of San Francisco voters say they regularly use AI in their work or daily lives. They are also open to new technologies in everyday life, with two-thirds viewing driverless rideshare services like Waymo favorably.
Together, these findings suggest that innovation is not only part of San Francisco’s brand, but a shared civic asset.
San Francisco voters are broadly optimistic about the city’s direction. 69% say San Francisco is headed in the right direction, and 65% rate their quality of life as excellent or good.
Large majorities describe San Francisco as one of the greatest cities in the world, full of possibilities, welcoming, and home to extraordinary people—reinforcing a deep sense of pride in the city’s identity.
Despite growing optimism, voters remain clear about the challenges facing San Francisco. Housing affordability and availability stand out as the most significant constraints and remain among the biggest barriers to growth. Concern about housing is nearly universal and consistent across age and housing type.
Street conditions remain another significant concern, particularly cleanliness and public safety. Voters frequently point to practical improvements—such as adding more public restrooms and trash cans, regular street cleaning, and removing graffiti—as steps that would improve how they perceive the city. While improvements are visible, these day-to-day conditions continue to shape confidence in the city and overall livability.
San Franciscans place the highest value on the features that make the city livable, connected, and distinctive. Parks, public transit, restaurants, neighborhood retail, and cultural amenities consistently rank as essential to quality of life.
Public transit stands out as both a daily necessity and strengthen the city. Nine in ten voters say public transit is important, and three-quarters report using it in the last month, underscoring its central role in everyday mobility. These systems are widely used and highly valued, providing access to jobs, schools, neighborhoods, and recreation across the city.
Beyond transit, nearly all voters say parks and open space are important to them, and similarly large majorities place high importance on restaurants and neighborhood retail. Cultural and civic amenities are also important: strong majorities value museums and art galleries, libraries, live music, and access to hiking and walking trails as part of what makes San Francisco a place they want to live.
The amenities and quality-of-life features San Franciscans value are the same ones that help attract and retain a talented workforce, reinforcing the connection between livability, economic vitality, and the city’s long-term success.
San Franciscans also express strong support for the city’s professional sports teams. Favorability is high for the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors, and notably strong for the Golden State Valkyries, whose early support stands out after just one season.