San Francisco votes Nov 3 on two transit taxes. Here's what each would cost you
First-time Bay Area homeowner series, part 5. On November 3, San Francisco voters decide on two measures that would raise money for public transit. One is a parcel tax that lands on property owners. The other is a regional sales tax everyone pays at the register. Here's what each would cost, where the money would go, and how to work out your own number. We're not telling you how to vote.
The two measures
- Muni parcel tax: Stronger Muni for All (San Francisco). Who pays: San Francisco property owners. Single-family: $129 a year up to 3,000 sq ft, more for larger homes. Multifamily: $249 base; owners of rent-controlled units can pass up to 50% to tenants, capped at $65 a unit a year. Commercial: $799 base, rising with size. Length: 15 years, adjusted for inflation. Money goes to: About $150M a year to close Muni's deficit, about $10M to service improvements.
- Regional sales tax: Connect Bay Area Act (5 counties). Who pays: Everyone buying taxable goods. Rate: 1 cent in San Francisco; half cent in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara. Length: 14 years. Raises: About $1 billion a year. Money goes to: BART, Caltrain, Muni, AC Transit and some smaller East Bay agencies.
Sources: KQED, Jun 17, 2026; Greenberg Traurig, Jun 2026. Check your official voter guide for final text.
Why it's on the ballot
Muni faces a deficit of more than $300 million starting in July 2026, projected to grow to $430 million by 2030, KQED reports. Like transit agencies across the country, Bay Area systems lost riders during the pandemic and haven't fully recovered fare revenue. Supporters, including Mayor Daniel Lurie, argue the money prevents service cuts. Critics of new taxes typically argue the city should cut costs first and that residents already face high costs. Read both sides in your voter guide.
The tech angle
San Francisco's streets have changed fast. Robotaxis now carry paying passengers, and many tech workers still work from home part of the week. Both affect how many people ride transit and how agencies plan service. Whatever you think of the measures, the question underneath is how a city pays for buses and trains when the way people travel is shifting.
Work out your own cost
- Parcel tax. For most San Francisco single-family homes up to 3,000 sq ft: $129 a year, about $10.75 a month, before inflation adjustments.
- Sales tax. Multiply what you spend on taxable goods in a year by the added rate. If you spend $20,000 a year on taxable purchases in San Francisco, 1% adds $200. In the four other counties, half a percent on the same spending adds $100. Groceries and rent generally aren't subject to sales tax.
What it means for you
- Read the official voter guide. It has the full text, the Controller's cost analysis, and arguments for and against.
- Know your number, then decide. Use the math above for your household.
- Plan for whatever passes. Add any new cost to the free budget planner below.
This is general information, not financial, tax or voting advice.
Tags: San Francisco · Bay Area homeowners · Property tax · TFU (Train Until Forever), San Francisco · Martin Lee, business owner
Sources
- San Francisco voters will vote on Muni's future in November, KQED, Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Jun 17, 2026
- 2 tax measures, 1 ballot: San Francisco parcel tax, regional sales tax move forward, Greenberg Traurig, Jun 2026