[bryanbuckley]

Walmart has some office space in San Bruno (engineers). I think the nearest Walmart is about 17.5 miles from SF (specifically, 101 meeting 80) in the outskirts of Oakland.

And actually there are more affordable rooms in commuting distance (BART or car) than it appears from popular opinion online.

[jurassic]

There's a Walmart retail location in Mountain View near San Antonio Station.

[ulfw]

Yes and a Target too. And the rent at the apartment towers next to it are $4000+. So, being next to a Walmart even isn't exactly a means of 'living cheaply'