Is Chinatown a Good Investment?

57
out of 100
Appreciation Score
Ranked 18th of 60 neighborhoods
Average

Chinatown receives an average appreciation score of 57 out of 100. This places it 18th among 60 San Francisco neighborhoods for this metric.

Data Layers
Master composite score (0-100) combining all neighborhood data: safety, walkability, commute access, schools, kid-friendliness, appreciation, dining, terrain, transit, parking, bikeshare, cleanliness, sunshine, and more.
Neighborhood quality per dollar: Best Locations composite score divided by median price per square foot. Higher scores indicate areas where you get the most livability for your money.
Composite neighborhood accessibility combining walkability, commute ease (BART/Muni/freeway), bikeshare density, terrain flatness, and street parking availability.
EPA National Walkability Index (1-20 scale) interpolated to 2020 Census block groups. Based on intersection density, proximity to transit, and employment mix.
Bay Wheels (Lyft) bikeshare station density by dock capacity per block group. Higher values indicate more bikeshare infrastructure.
Street parking availability derived from SFMTA meter density. Fewer meters indicates more free/unrestricted parking. Residential neighborhoods score highest.
Terrain flatness score derived from USGS 1m DEM elevation sampling (~200m grid). Local slopes computed from nearest-neighbor elevation differences. Flatter areas score higher.
Severity-weighted crime density from SFPD incident reports (last 12 months). Violent crimes weighted higher. Based on initial reports geocoded to block groups.
Pedestrian safety score based on inverse density of pedestrian-involved traffic crashes (last 3 years). Severity-weighted: fatal and severe injuries count more. Fewer crashes = safer.
Night safety score based on inverse density of 311 streetlight complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints suggest better-maintained lighting infrastructure.
Sidewalk condition score based on inverse density of 311 sidewalk and curb complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints indicate better-maintained walkways.
Food service business density from DataSF registered business locations. Includes restaurants, cafes, bars, and food trucks.
Road condition score based on inverse density of 311 street defect complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints indicate better-maintained roads.
School access score weighted by grade level (elementary highest) and type (private bonus). Measures density and quality of nearby schools per block group.
Composite family-friendliness: playgrounds/rec facilities, library proximity, school density, crime safety (inverse), walkability, and pedestrian traffic safety.
Median annualized home appreciation from actual repeat sales (same property sold 2+ times) in the SF Assessor roll (2007-2024). Based on assessed value changes at sale events under Prop 13 reassessment.
Recent residential sales activity (2019-2024) per block group from SF Assessor roll. Log-normalized count of detected ownership transfers. Higher = more active market.
Median assessed price per square foot from recently sold residential properties (2020-2024) in the SF Assessor roll. Assessed values reflect Prop 13 reassessment at sale.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over the last 5 years, derived from Zillow Home Value Index at neighborhood level. Mapped to block groups via neighborhood boundaries.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over the last 10 years, derived from Zillow Home Value Index at neighborhood level.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over ~22 years (2000-2022), derived from Census 2000 and ACS 5-Year median home values at tract level (~200 tracts).
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of home values over the last 50 years (since ~1975), derived from FHFA House Price Index at Census tract level.
Composite score of Muni rail/streetcar proximity, freeway access distance, BART station proximity, and Muni bus stop density. Higher scores indicate easier commute options.
Street tree density per block group from DataSF EveryTreeSF census. Log-normalized so residential neighborhoods with moderate tree cover score well relative to parks.
Street cleanliness score based on inverse density of 311 cleaning/dumping/graffiti complaints (last 12 months). Fewer complaints = cleaner neighborhood.
Neighborhood quietness based on inverse density of 311 noise complaints (last 12 months). Fewer noise complaints = quieter area.
Cafe and coffee shop density from DataSF registered businesses (NAICS 7225). Log-normalized to better represent neighborhood cafe culture.
San Francisco microclimate sunshine score based on DPW fog/sun zone classification. Eastern neighborhoods sheltered by Twin Peaks get significantly more sun than western fog belt areas.
Median household income per Census block group from ACS 5-Year Estimates. Higher values indicate wealthier neighborhoods.
Owner-occupied housing rate per Census block group from ACS 5-Year Estimates. Higher homeownership indicates community stability and investment.
Percentage of pre-1930 buildings (Victorian & Edwardian era) per block group, from SF Assessor Secured Roll property records. Higher scores indicate more historic character.
Pet friendliness score combining pet business density (stores, vets, groomers) and proximity to dog parks/play areas. Higher scores indicate more pet-friendly neighborhoods.

Top Neighborhoods for Appreciation

  1. Presidio — 97/100
  2. Twin Peaks — 70/100
  3. Tenderloin — 70/100
  4. Outer Richmond — 69/100
  5. Lone Mountain — 68/100

More About Chinatown

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Quick answers

Figures from public sale records and public datasets tracked by SF Homes Report. Updated 2026-10-06.

Is Chinatown a good investment?

Chinatown scores 56/100 for long-run appreciation on SF Homes Report's index, ranking #14 of 46 San Francisco neighborhoods — a mid-range score. The index is computed from public datasets and updated as source data refreshes.