Bob Tillman has spent nearly 5 years and $1.4 million trying to…

Bob Tillman has spent nearly 5 years and $1.4 million trying to convert his laundromat into new housing in San Francisco's Mission district.

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $3500.

By contrast, the average 1-bedroom in Houston rents for $1300. It's $1100 in Tokyo (which is similarly land-locked).