Danny was living in a 4-story house (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/ondoatj/) in San Francisco (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/onhybue/) with three young daughters (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/onrcmyw/) and a deceased wife (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/onezn16/). I don't know if Danny's late wife, Pam ever worked herself (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/onevncy/) or if she had any life insurance. One has to easily presume that since Danny works as (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/ondxgpf/) a television host, that right there, is a reasonably good paying job. Meanwhile, Joey hosted a popular children's show, Joey and Jesse owned an advertising business or hosted a radio show, Jesse owned a successful all ages night club and was part of a band successful enough to tour internationally, and Rebecca was also a TV personality. The adults in the family were legitimately (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/onhema8/) local celebrities.

Still, to put things into proper perspective (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/ondq1yb/):
The Tanner house recently sold in 2025 for $6 million dollars

In 1987, the Tanner house would be worth (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1tl7531/comment/onfjko4/) between roughly $500K (give or take)

In San Francisco today, May 22, 2026, a budget of $500,000 typically secures a small studio or 1-bedroom condo measuring between 450 and 800 square feet

Try having 9 people live in that.