259 Apartments in San Jose

San Jose Apartment Renter's Guide

Overview


Population: 1,021,795
Population Density: 5,746.6 people/sq mile
Median Age: 38
Percentage of Family Households: 71%
Median Annual Income: $126,377 / year
Median Rent: $2,328 / month

What locals are saying

Do you know the way to San Jose? I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way. Do you know the way to San Jose? I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose." (Burt Bacharach - Do You Know The Way").

It doesn’t take a Google search to find a crazy-cool city to call home in this state

Do you know the way to San Jose? I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way. Do you know the way to San Jose? I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose." (Burt Bacharach - Do You Know The Way").

It doesn’t take a Google search to find a crazy-cool city to call home in this state. Just pick a place that begins with San (you won’t be disappointed by any of ‘em), pack your bags (must-haves include sunscreen and a Diccionario Inglés-Español), and come on down. Arguably the sultriest San of all, the so-called “capital of Silicon Valley” is primo living for Left Coast leasers aiming to join one of Cali’s most diverse and eclectic mega-communities. Sound like your cup ‘o’ tea? Then stick with us. We’ll have you ballin’ in the south Bay in two shakes of a high-tech stick.

Having trouble with Craigslist San Jose? Can't find that special apartment for rent on Apartment Finder or Zillow? Apartment List is here to help!

The Skinny on SJ

Perched on the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay and circumscribed by the majestic Santa Cruz Mountains, San Jose is unarguably one of NoCal’s most aesthetically pleasing stomping grounds. But life in the hub of the Silicon Valley is about more than postcard-perfect vistas. A few facts about SJ life that might help make your migration easy breezy include the following:

Brains: High-tech engineering and computing conglomerates (hence, the chemical moniker “silicon”) dominate the economy as well as conversation, so brush up on your geek-speak before arriving. Also, bring your entrepreneur’s hat: San Jose witnesses more U.S. patent applications than any other American city, and the proximity of such genius-factories as Stanford and Berkeley only serves to further qualify this corridor as one of the smartest regions in the world.

Fun-ness: Sister-city San Francisco may be the City that Knows How, but when it comes to entertainment, San Jose is no slouch. Can you say… “Parks and gardens”? How about “trails”? “Festival grounds”? “Sporting events”? Shopping centers? Sidewalk-surfing hotspots? Museums? Theaters? Nightlife venues? Okay you get it: even those for whom “bored to death” is a frequent tweet aren’t likely to suffer from SJ-induced ennui. The bottom line here is to make sure you have a disposable income (and some tight pants).

Apartments: This housing market’s got its junk together. That means you ought to expect standardized options, such as lease length (6 months to a year), deposit ($350 and up, according to montly rent), pet-friendliness (small-uns, sure; big-uns, not usually), an application criteria (credit report, references, etc.; do yourself a favor and make an archive of copies of these documents to hand out at open houses).

Logistics-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named: Harry Potter XVI isn’t the only blockbuster with one of these in the cast list. One by one:

  • Do you need a car? Yes, unless you attend SJSU and don’t plan on leaving campus or downtown except to go to San Fran. Expect to pay for parking at an apartment complex in the downtown/SJSU areas.

  • What if I don’t own a car and actually enjoy looking down on all you fossil-fuel-enslaved suckas? The City of San Jose has a passable bus system and CalTrain gets you anywhere along the Bay. We hear the crowded bus platform, particularly as you heave your month’s worth of Trader Joe’s groceries onto it, is a fabulous place to practice nose-snubbing.

  • Is SJ “affordable”? For the nearsighted in the crowd, those are quotations. Around the word affordable. Why? Because the cost of living is relative. SJ is inexpensive compared to Beverly Hills, but expensive compared to Duluth, Minnesota. Expect to pay Northern California prices and taxes. ‘Nuff said.

  • How likely is an earthquake? Puh-leeease. You know the answer to that one. Earthquake-preparedness is gauged not in likelihood, but in possibility. You might need renter’s insurance, depending on the complex. You’ll certainly need a “go bag,” which contains essentials such as a headlamp or flashlight, bottled water, first-aid kit, pocket knife, local map, and other emergency items. (If you really want to get crazy, the City of San Francisco has created a helpful website with heaps more info.

    A Seafarer’s Guide to South Bay Barrios

    Ahoy, mateskis! In SJ, neighborhoods are like sea creatures. (Wasn’t that a line from Shrek?) Regardless, climb on into the SeaGazer 3000, our patented vehicular contraption for examining the curious sea life of the San Francisco Bay—and the worth-checking-out locales of SJ.

Behold, the mighty octopus! Downtown San Jose is a multi-faceted area, combining a studenty university feel with an urban skyline vibe. You may get inked after 3am on a weekend, but if you play nice this neighborhood will awe your friends and keep you in style. Rent range in this sector is just as eight-sided as its cultural appeal: luxury condos can start at $1500/month, but one might also find a room share in a student house for under $600/month. (It all depends on how you define “spacious.”)

Next, ladies and gents, cast your attention toward the elegant swordfish. Luna Park & Hyde Park present sophisticated alternatives to downtown residency. Commute times from these neighborhoods are as slim as the swordfish’s muzzle (and cocktail lounges as curvy as its… fins?). Heaps of townhouses and vintage buildings glut this market with 2BRs, which drives the prices down (expect around $1200/month for a 2BR townhome) if you’re into roommates. If you’re not into roommates, expect to drop $1400/month on a (luxury) single.

Perhaps the most eclectic area in SJ is Midtown. It ranges from the prickly blowfish district of Burbank to the old wealth neighborhood Willow Glen, akin to those elderly sea turtles from Finding Nemo (classic, but surfer dudes at core). If you’re keen on the scene, you’ll likely gravitate toward Burbank. That said, studios and 1BRs near Santana Row will still cost ya over $1000/month. On the other hand, if you love that polished look (check out the decorations on Lincoln Ave. at Christmastime if you need a refresher), settle in a 2BR/1BA brick townhome for between $1400 and $1800/month.

Folks love to ooh and ahh at the deepwater sea urchins. “Further out” San Jose usually means no further than Campbell, a cute, family-oriented district on the Los Gatos Creek bike path. One is more likely to purchase rather than rent in this corner of the South Bay, but young professionals can still find decent apartment living in “West SJ.” House shares run around $600-800/month and 1BRs over $1000/month. Beware that most of your neighbor urchins spend their workweek commuting to shallower waters, so finding community on Monday-Thursday might mean getting tea with the housekeepers. Watch yer fingers as we chug-a-lug back to the dock here, folks. Thanks for joining us on our brief voyage—we hope something caught your fancy. If not, strap on them flippers and snorkel about on your own. There’s no better way to find an apartment than to remember that adage your granny taught you: “Search the interwebs, silly!”

San Jose Demographics


How diverse is San Jose?

The representation of ethnic minorities in San Jose is higher than the national average. The eight main ethnic groups that make up the population of San Jose are Asian (38.8%), Hispanic Or Latino (30.6%), White (22.6%), Two Or More (3.8%), Black Or African American (2.9%), Other (0.5%), Native Hawaiian Or Other Pacific Islander (0.5%), and American Indian Or Alaska Native (0.2%).

What does the age breakdown look like for San Jose residents?

The median age in San Jose is 38 while the most populous age group of residents is the under 20 group.

How diverse is San Jose?

The representation of ethnic minorities in San Jose is higher than the national average. The eight main ethnic groups that make up the population of San Jose are Asian (38.8%), Hispanic Or Latino (30.6%), White (22.6%), Two Or More (3.8%), Black Or African American (2.9%), Other (0.5%), Native Hawaiian Or Other Pacific Islander (0.5%), and American Indian Or Alaska Native (0.2%).

What does the age breakdown look like for San Jose residents?

The median age in San Jose is 38 while the most populous age group of residents is the under 20 group.

San Jose Crime


Overall Crime

Above Average
Overall crime in San Jose is above average in comparison to the national average.

Violent Crime

Above Average
The level of violent crime in San Jose is above average compared to the national average violent crime rate.

Property Crime

Above Average
The level of property crime in San Jose is above average compared to the national average property crime rate.

Top Schools in San Jose


Elementary Schools

9 /10
Northwood Elementary School
Public
K-5
Public
K-5
574 Students
15 Reviews
574
Students
15 Reviews
9 /10
Nelson S. Dilworth Elementary School
Public
K-5
Public
K-5
435 Students
17 Reviews
435
Students
17 Reviews
9 /10
John Muir Elementary School
Public
K-5
Public
K-5
354 Students
9 Reviews
354
Students
9 Reviews

Middle Schools

9 /10
Joaquin Miller Middle School
Public
6-8
Public
6-8
1,191 Students
19 Reviews
1,191
Students
19 Reviews
9 /10
Union Middle School
Public
6-8
Public
6-8
1,053 Students
23 Reviews
1,053
Students
23 Reviews
9 /10
University Preparatory Academy Charter
Charter
7-12
Charter
7-12
684 Students
23 Reviews
684
Students
23 Reviews

High Schools

10 /10
Lynbrook High School
Public
9-12
Public
9-12
1,880 Students
22 Reviews
1,880
Students
22 Reviews
9 /10
Piedmont Hills High School
Public
9-12
Public
9-12
2,058 Students
15 Reviews
2,058
Students
15 Reviews
9 /10
Evergreen Valley High School
Public
9-12
Public
9-12
2,961 Students
67 Reviews
2,961
Students
67 Reviews

What Renters Say about San Jose


Apartment List has released the results for San Jose from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
"San Jose renters expressed general dissatisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "Some categories received average scores, and many received below average scores."
78%
Weather
69%
Parks and Outdoor Activities
60%
Jobs and Career Opportunities
55%
Social Life
53%
Pet Friendliness
45%
Public Transit
44%
Quality of Schools
35%
Safety and Crime Rate
33%
Commute Time
24%
Dating
16%
State and Local Taxes
4%
Affordability
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Shadow Creek Photo Gallery 1
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In unit laundry, Patio / balcony + 4
8 Units available
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In unit laundry, Patio / balcony + 4
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The Julian Photo Gallery 1
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30 Units available
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121 Tasman Photo Gallery 1
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4 Units available
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Santana Heights Photo Gallery 1
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In unit laundry, Wine room + 4
13 Units available
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Levare Photo Gallery 1
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In unit laundry, Patio / balcony + 4
4 Units available
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Modera the Alameda Photo Gallery 1
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In unit laundry, Patio / balcony + 4
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W/D hookup, Patio / balcony + 4
2 Units available
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Lynhaven Photo Gallery 1
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In unit laundry, Nest technology + 4
40 Units available
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ReNew Twenty50 Photo Gallery 1
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6 Units available
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6 Units available
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Park Kiely Photo Gallery 1
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On-site laundry, Patio / balcony + 4
27 Units available
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Boynton Gardens Photo Gallery 1
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24hr laundry, Patio / balcony + 4
1 Unit available
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Average rent in San Jose, California

City Guide
The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in San Jose is $2,865, while the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $3,553. Rent rates updated 5 days ago
* Averages are based on the rental prices of properties listed on Apartment List
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Find an apartment for rent in San Jose, CA


Searching for an apartment for rent in San Jose, CA? Look no further! Apartment List will help you find a perfect apartment near you. There are 1,367 available rental units listed on Apartment List in San Jose. Click on listings to see photos, floorplans, amenities, prices and availability, and much more!

The average rent in San Jose is $2,561 for a studio, $2,865 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $3,553 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you are looking for a deal, keep an eye out for a red pulsing icon that indicates rent specials.

Tired of browsing? Take our personalized quiz. You’ll answer a couple of simple questions and we’ll put together a list of San Jose apartments that are best for you. We’ll also factor in your commute, budget, and preferred amenities. Looking for a pet-friendly rental, or an apartment with in-unit washer and dryer? No problem, we’ll provide you with apartments that match that criteria.

You can trust Apartment List to help you find your next San Jose, CA apartment rental! After all, everyone deserves a home they love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is rent in San Jose?

In San Jose, the average rent is $2,561 for a studio, $2,865 for a 1-bedroom, $3,553 for a 2-bedroom, and $4,073 for a 3-bedroom. For more information on rental trends in San Jose, check out our monthly San Jose Rent Report.

How can I find a cheap apartment in San Jose?

You can filter cheap apartments in San Jose by price: under $1,600, under $1,800, under $2,000, or search by apartments that are offering move-in specials.

How can I find a pet-friendly apartment in San Jose?

You can use the pet-friendly filter to find San Jose apartments that allow pets.

How much should I pay for rent in San Jose?

The answer to this question depends on your household income and a couple of other factors. You can use our Rent Calculator to figure out how much you should spend on rent in San Jose.

How can I find off-campus housing in San Jose?

You can use the off-campus housing filters to find apartments near colleges located in or around San Jose. Some of the colleges and universities in the area include Samuel Merritt University, Laney College, College of Alameda, San Jose City College, and San Jose State University.