Wealthy AI workers send San Francisco house prices soaring
Summary
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) companies in San Francisco is driving up house prices in the city. Wealthy AI workers with high salaries and valuable stock options are buying expensive properties, causing a record increase in housing costs.Key Facts
- A renovated three-bedroom apartment in San Francisco’s Duboce Triangle was listed for nearly $3 million.
- The seller of this property was willing to accept shares from AI companies OpenAI or Anthropic instead of cash.
- San Francisco became the most expensive US city for homebuyers in March 2026, with median house prices rising 19% from the previous year.
- By May 2026, the median home price in San Francisco reached a record $1.76 million, compared to $400,000 for the US overall.
- The housing price increase is linked to the influx of AI workers who receive high salaries, bonuses, and stock options from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic.
- In October 2025, over 600 OpenAI employees sold shares worth a total of $6.6 billion, averaging $11 million per person.
- Anthropic employees have also sold shares estimated at $6 billion.
- OpenAI and Anthropic plan to go public soon, which could increase the number of wealthy employees and further boost San Francisco’s housing market.
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