| San Francisco | $3,300 – $4,200+ | Lowell High School – flagship academic magnet in SFUSD (#11) | - Lick‑Wilmerding High School (SF) – private technical-focused HS. - University High School (SF) – private college-prep. - St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SF) – private Jesuit high school. | Walkable, car-free lifestyle; vibrant culture; highest rents |
| Alameda | $2,300 – $3,000+ | Piedmont High School, Piedmont USD (#36); Amador Valley High, Pleasanton USD (#59) | - Bishop O’Dowd High School (Oakland) – Catholic, - Berkwood Hedge School (Berkeley) – independent elementary. - Rising Star Montessori (Alameda) – private elementary-level independent. College Preparatory School, Bentley, and Head-Royce | Urban/suburban mix; BART & ferry access; good schools, moderate rent |
| Contra Costa | $2,000 – $2,700 | Campolindo High School, Acalanes UHSD (#30); California HS, San Ramon Valley USD (#199) | - Las Lomas High School (Walnut Creek) – public, but for private schools: e.g., many private Catholic schools exist in the county though fewer prominent lists. - De La Salle High School (Concord) – Catholic all-boys private high school. - St. Mary’s High School (Orinda) – private co-ed Catholic preparatory. | Family-friendly suburbs; strong schools; BART to SF |
| Marin | $2,800 – $3,500+ | Redwood High School, Tamalpais Union HSD (#50) | - San Domenico School (San Anselmo) – private K-12. - Marin Catholic – Archdiocesan college prep high school. - Marin Academy (San Rafael) | Upscale, scenic; ferry/bridge commute; great schools |
| San Mateo | $2,800 – $3,800+ | Carlmont High School, Sequoia Union HSD (#44) | - Crystal Springs Uplands School (Hillsborough) – private prep school. - Menlo School (Atherton) – private college-prep. - Notre Dame High School (San Mateo) – private Catholic high school. | Peninsula corridor; tech-hub; family-friendly; convenient transit |
| Santa Clara | $2,900 – $3,800+ | Gunn High School, Palo Alto USD (24); Monta Vista HS, Cupertino USD (#15) | - Castilleja School (Palo Alto) – all-girls private high school. - Harker School (San Jose) – private K-12. - Bellarmine College Preparatory (San Jose) – private Jesuit boys high school. | High cost, top schools; strong Caltrain and tech access |
| Solano | $1,600 – $2,000 | Benicia High School, Benicia USD (#368) | - Holy Spirit School (Fairfield) – Catholic K-8. - North Hills Christian School (Vallejo) – Baptist K-12. - Sierra School of Solano County (Fairfield) – private day school K-12. | Most affordable; longer commute; hybrid-friendly |
| Napa | $2,100 – $2,600 | St. Helena High School, St. Helena USD (#383) | - Vanguard Bioscience High School (Napa) – private biotech-focus HS. - St. Helena Elementary School – (private/charter hybrid) – though private offerings are fewer/less prominent than in other counties. | Wine-country lifestyle; drive/ferry commute |
| Sonoma | $2,500 – $3,200 | Petaluma High School, Petaluma JUHSD (#296) | - Maria Carrillo High School – (public) but for private: - Healdsburg School – private K-12 in Healdsburg. - The Village School (Santa Rosa) – private/independent. | Scenic, spacious, slower pace; longer commute |
