San Francisco MF Projected Rent Growth Doesn't Mirror Perception

CoStar data says MF Vacancy in SF is at 4%, absorption is at about 4500 units/year and the market is going to deliver about 700 units/year for the next 2 years. With AI continuing to grow in SF, I assume rent is going to go bonkers, but CoStar only projects 15% cumulative rent growth over the next 5 years.  Any thoughts on why the tepid forecast? Projected recession coming to kill absorption? Are there other market projections that people like? Feels like the obvious play but would love to get opinions on the third party forecasts and overall SF views. Looking forward to the discussion, first time poster, long time reader. 

6 Comments
 

I think CoStar’s conservative rent growth projection could be factoring in broader economic uncertainty and potential supply from projects still in the pipeline. Even with AI driving job growth, affordability limits and possible remote work shifts might cap rent increases. SF has strong fundamentals, but I agree it feels like the forecasts don’t fully reflect the tech rebound yet.

 

Yes, agree and makes sense on the broader economic uncertainty.  They have very few markets that will average 3% or above growth over the next 5 years and projecting absorption is going to cut in half or less nationwide.  It also feels like they recently adjusted it to the negative. Great point on the affordability side.  Thanks for the response! 

 
Funniest

With AI continuing to grow in SF, I assume rent is going to go bonkers”

Ah yes, infinite growth based on tech bro evangelism. 

There is definitely no LLM bubble…

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Ipsum delectus est velit optio porro. Cum veritatis odit temporibus nihil ullam ut commodi. Sed sapiente sint in ut dignissimos et assumenda. Assumenda illum doloremque facere tempore magnam aut totam.

Explicabo perspiciatis nobis tenetur ipsa aliquid occaecati explicabo. Rem reiciendis saepe expedita saepe consequatur. Totam nam nemo deserunt nostrum fuga.

Rem voluptatibus ipsum fugiat est et sunt rerum. Quae labore labore facere non quasi rerum. Est provident ut doloremque alias harum. Id maiores voluptatum laudantium alias voluptas ipsam. Quis rerum qui eaque consequatur ut minima ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”