CostGuide

Legal & Financial, California

CPA cost in San Francisco, CA

A typical CPA figure in San Francisco is about $340 per hour, about 36% above the national figure of $250.

Typical cost

Typical in San Francisco

$340

per hour

Fair price range: $204 to $612

On the low end
$204
On the high end
$612

Estimated from national price data, adjusted for the cost of living in San Francisco. Insurance, coverage, and the details of your situation can change the real number a lot. Not a quote.

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An estimate for planning, not a quote. A local pro prices your actual job.

How prices have moved

Up 3.9%past year

Up 39.0%over five years

How prices for tax return preparation and accounting fees have moved nationally, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (Tax return preparation and other accounting fees, CUUR0000SS68023), through August 2026. It tracks price change, not the dollar prices on this page.

What moves the price

  1. Firm size
  2. Specialty
  3. Business returns
  4. Advisory
  5. Location

Ways to pay less

  1. Use a local small firm
  2. Separate bookkeeping
  3. Ask for a monthly advisory retainer only if needed
  4. Prepare a P&L first
  5. Clarify what the rate includes

CPA in similar cities

PlaceTypicalRange
San Francisco, CA$340
$204 to $612
National typical$250
$150 to $450
San Jose, CA$354
$212 to $637
Sunnyvale, CA$351
$211 to $632
Santa Barbara, CA$304
$182 to $547
New York, NY$333
$200 to $599
Honolulu, HI$290
$174 to $522

Other Legal & Financial costs in San Francisco

CPA in every cityEverything in San FranciscoAll Legal & Financial services

Questions people ask

CPA in San Francisco: what does it cost?

In San Francisco, CA, CPA typically costs about $340 per hour, with most prices between $204 and $612.

Why is San Francisco higher than the national price?

This estimate moves the national figure halfway with what the workers behind CPA earn in San Francisco, from federal wage data, and halfway with the local cost of living. Together they put San Francisco about 36% above the national figure.

Is this a quote?

No. It is an estimate built from national price data and local cost of living. A local pro will price your actual job.