From what I've seen....the US government has programs in place to aid less advantaged people in paying their rent. Therefore landlords have figured out how to take advantage of this by raising their asking prices. The government pays so much and the renter pays their portion....even if tge renter isn't paying...the landlord still gets a fair amount. This hurts those not on assistance programs as it generally makes them less reliable and profitable income, so it's best to keep rent out of their price range.

2k /mo for a 1br here 😵

A Hispanic man who was getting into real estate told me about 5 years ago that it was because a law was passed that made it illegal for illegals to get bank loans to buy loans so they had to keep renting. Then the prices of rents started going up after that law passed.

Because houses are generally unaffordable. Can't afford to buy a house? You still need to live somewhere. So they have you and they know it.

Supply and demand. It’s crazy stupid the prices in the SF Bay Area.