Cost of Living in San Jose, CA 2022

San Jose is the largest city in Northern California. Residents of this Silicon Valley hotspot are drawn to the booming tech scene, job opportunities, great climate, and the chance to live that sweet, sweet, California dream.

Whether you’re looking to land your dream job at PayPal or want to enjoy Cali living, San Jose is the place to be — if your budget is big enough.

San Jose has a notoriously high cost of living, so it’s essential to check and double-check your budget if you want to make the city your home.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about San Jose’s cost of living from housing to gym memberships.

Let’s dive in!

San Jose Housing Costs

Housing costs are no joke in San Jose. With some of the most expensive median house prices in the country, San Jose’s rental market is no exception. Here are the average rent prices for San Jose apartments.

• The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose is $2,513.
• The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose is $3,100.

So, yeah. Pretty expensive, even by the traditional standards for an expensive city. Notably, San Jose’s $2,513 median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $502 higher than that of New York City.

Even if you land one of those high-paying jobs in the thriving tech sector, you’re still going to want to pull some frugal money moves to bolster your savings.

For starters, you can rent with roommates. As 41.8% of San Jose residents are doubled up, you’ll be in good company.

Fortunately, splitting rent can cut your rent in half, despite the inconvenience of living with another person. That said, if you do your research and put the work in to find a good roommate, you might just end up living with your new best friend.

If you prefer living alone, you may be able to find a cheap San Jose apartment by looking for move-in specials. You’ll usually be able to catch a deal with reduced rent, waived fees, or other amenities and attractions.

If not… well, at least you’ve been forewarned.

San Jose Transportation

According to data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, an average single San Jose resident spends $4,938 annually or around $411.50 monthly on transportation costs (read: owning a car). A family of four with two working adults and two children pays an average of $11,391 annually or about $949.25 monthly to cover transportation costs.

Unfortunately, with a low 51 walk score and a 40 transit score, you’ll need your own set of wheels to get around in the city.

On the upside, San Jose has a 62 bike score. You may experience some obstacles to getting around by bike, but it’s still possible. If you prefer four-wheeled transportation and want to avoid the high costs associated with car ownership, an annual pass for public transit in San Jose costs $990 for a single adult passenger.

San Jose Food Costs

Single San Jose residents can expect to pay $3,999 annually or $333.25 a month on groceries.

A family of four with two children and two adults in San Jose spends an annual average of $8,853 on groceries or $737.75 per month.

That said, you probably won’t spend every day making meals. If you choose to eat out once in a while, we don’t blame you!

San Jose is a foodie haven with restaurants and high-class eateries lining the city’s streets.

From excellent seafood to the best tacos on this side of the Mississippi, San Jose cuisine is enough to tempt anyone for a night of dining out.

If you grab a friend and indulge in a three-course meal at a mid-level restaurant, you can expect to pay $75.51.

San Jose Healthcare Costs

Healthcare costs in the US are rising, and have continued on this upward trend for many years.

San Jose healthcare costs reflect those across the nation, in that they are relatively high.

Average healthcare costs for an individual with an employer-sponsored health insurance plan are $2,288 annually. For a family of four, these healthcare costs increase to $7,249 annually.

If you are currently uninsured or will be after you complete your move to San Jose, head to Healthcare.gov to sign up for a health insurance plan that suits your needs.

San Jose Utilities

San Jose residents are lucky when it comes to their average utility bills.

While the average utility bill in the US is $170.68 a month, San Jose residents pay $213.09 for basic utilities, including gas, water, fuel, and electricity.

Fortunately, the Mediterranean climate does a lot to keep costs down.

If you plan on creating a more in-depth utility budget line item, you might consider adding your cell phone and internet service bills.

The average internet service bill in San Jose costs $74.55, depending on your needs, while the average cell phone bill in the US is $127.37 per month or $1,528.44 per year.

You can save on these costs by looking into discount internet and cell phone service providers, bundling services with a single provider or switching providers to get new customer benefits.

Just make sure you do some thorough research before pursuing any of these options, as you don’t want to end up with spotty cell service in an emergency or WiFi that cuts out during an important Zoom meeting.

Learn more about the estimated utility costs per city!

Fitness and Entertainment

Staying fit and having fun are pretty much the pillars of California living.

According to data from Numbeo, the average gym membership in San Jose costs $72.33 per month or $867.96 annually.

While the cost is pretty steep compared to other major cities, fitness is the key to a good long life. So, it’s an investment with a great ROI.

The vast majority of San Jose residents spend their free time taking advantage of the many awesome entertainment options the city has to offer.

If you intend to join them, be sure to understand how those outings may impact your budget.

Although San Jose isn’t a big sports city, they have a professional hockey team, the San Jose Sharks. If you’re planning on catching a home game at some point, expect to pay around $127.00 (on average) for a ticket.

For those who prefer to do a bit of learning and exploration on their off days or have fun with their children, head over to The Tech Interactive, a massive interactive museum. Tickets start at $25 for an adult, so plan accordingly!

If you find yourself pining for free entertainment, head to one of San Jose’s many public parks. Start with the Municipal Rose Garden. It’s gorgeous, smells great, and it’s free. Win-win-win across the board.

Other Expenses to Consider in San Jose

If you’re making the move to San Jose, it’s important to consider additional expenses that are unique to the location.

This is especially true if you are moving from out of state, from one of the few states or cities that did not impose an income tax.

San Jose residents pay a 9.375% combined state and city sales tax rate, as San Jose levies a 3.375% sales and use tax in addition to the state of California’s standard 6% sales and use tax.

If you are looking to purchase a home in San Jose, prepare to meet price tags that start in the seven-figure range.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in San Jose?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, San Jose residents make bank, pulling in a $69,527 average annual salary.

Unfortunately, you may need to pull in close to that to afford to live in the city.

We generally recommend that renters earn at least three times the cost of rent before taxes. That’s a standard that most landlords follow.

The metric also roughly follows the 30% budgeting rule, which states that a person should spend less than or equal to 30% of their earnings on housing costs like rent or a mortgage.

If we were to follow the 30% rule, here’s what you’ll need to earn to comfortably afford an average-priced San Jose apartment.

• It’s recommended that a renter earns an annual pre-tax income of at least $100,520 to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose.
• It’s recommended that a renter earns an annual pre-tax income of at least $124,000 to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose.

Final Thoughts

San Jose’s thriving tech industry, Mediterranean weather, and bustling cityscape make it a top option for renters considering a move to Northern California. However, it’s a pretty expensive place to call home.

If you’re interested in something a little more affordable, check out options in other major California cities.

That said if you’re determined to make Silicon Valley your new home, get started on your apartment hunt with Apartment List.

FAQs: Cost of Living in San Jose in 2022:

How expensive is an apartment in San Jose?

A one-bedroom apartment in San Jose, California costs $2,014. A two bedroom apartment in San Jose costs $2,456.

What is the cheapest rent in San Jose?

Currently, the cheapest rent in San Jose, California for a one-bedroom apartment. You can expect to pay an average of $2,014 in rent.

How expensive is it to live in San Jose?

You’ll spend an average of $2,014 for a one bedroom apartment in San Jose. Locals also spend about $5,316 annually or around $132.90 monthly on transportation. A family of two working adults and two children spend an average of $14,058 a year or about $1,171.50 monthly to cover transportation costs. A monthly pass on public transit in San Jose costs $990 for a single adult passenger.

How far is San Jose from San Francisco?

San Jose to San Francisco is 48.4 miles via US-101 S and takes about 50 minutes to drive. You can also take Caltrain to get from San Jose and San Francisco.

How far is San Jose from Sacramento?

San Jose is 119.8 miles via I-80 W and I-680 S and takes just under two hours to drive in reasonable traffic. Amtrak train service is also available between San Jose and Sacramento, California.

What is the population of San Jose?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of San Jose was 983,489 in 2020.

What is a good salary in San Jose?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average salary for San Jose, California residents is $125,075. However, to stick to the rule of spending only 30% of your monthly income on rent, you only need an income of $80,560 to live comfortably in a one bedroom apartment in San Jose.