Cost of Living in San Jose, CA [2025]

San Jose is the largest city in Northern California by area, with a steep cost of living that currently sits 131% above the national average. Residents of this Silicon Valley hot spot are drawn to the booming tech scene, job opportunities, great climate, and the chance to live the good life. Whether you’re looking to land your dream job at PayPal or want to enjoy California living, San Jose is the place to be—if your budget is big enough.

You will pay a premium to live in Silicon Valley. San Jose has a notoriously high cost of living, so it’s essential to 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 prices to gym membership costs. By the end, you'll be able to figure out your budget for your next apartment hunt in San Jose, California.

Cost of Living in San Jose, CA

What Is the Cost of Living in San Jose, CA?

San Jose is the third-largest city in California by population and comes with an expensive price tag for the privilege of living here. It's currently one of the most expensive cities in the country and requires a high salary or some major creativity to make it work. The average cost of living in San Jose is a little over 131% higher than the national average.

Where Is the Cost of Living Highest in San Jose?

San Jose is expensive across the board, but the cost of living is higher in some areas than others. One of the most expensive neighborhoods is Downtown San Jose, where renters will spend an average of $5,102 on a one-bedroom apartment and around $6,236 on a two-bedroom apartment.

Compared to the national one-bedroom average of $1,757, renters in Downtown San Jose one-bedroom units are spending around 290% more per month on rent. Compared to California’s overall state average of $2,934 for one-bedroom apartments, renters spend an average of 174% more per month.

Where Is the Cost of Living Most Affordable in San Jose, CA?

Nothing is really cheap in the city, but there are relatively affordable neighborhoods in San Jose, CA. You can find an apartment for $2,297 and up in Blackford, San Jose. A two-bedroom apartment in Blackford will cost about $3,170, generally speaking.

Rent for one-bedrooms in Blackford is much closer to the national average, with San Jose renters spending only 9% more than the national average of $2,102. It also sits comfortably below California’s average state rent of $2,934.

What Is the Average Rent in San Jose, CA?

According to our latest data from July 2025, the average rent for all units is $3,265. If you want to expand your search, consider cities around San Jose with lower housing costs, such as Antioch, with an average one-bedroom rental for $1,612, or Vallejo, with an average of $1,891 (data from Rent.com).

Currently, the median rent in San Jose is $3,077 across all unit sizes. After a sharp decrease in median rent prices in 2020, the citywide median rent price took an equally sharp upswing, rising from $2,334 in December 2020 to $3,077 as of July 2025.

While San Jose is slightly less expensive than some of its California neighbors, such as San Francisco, it remains an expensive place to live in 2025.

For San Jose only:

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How Much Is a One-Bedroom Apartment in San Jose, CA?

Our data shows you'll need around $2,934 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Supplemental data from Rent.com, July 2025.

How Much Is a Two-Bedroom Apartment in San Jose, CA?

As of July 2025, renters who need a two-bedroom apartment in San Jose will spend an average of $3,506.

That said, rent varies drastically in San Jose neighborhoods. Renters looking at units in Downtown San Jose can find an average price of $6,236 for two-bedroom units, whereas those looking in Blackford will see prices 49% lower at $3,170.

Supplemental data from Rent.com, July 2025.

How Much Is Housing in San Jose?

Home prices in San Jose are steep, with the median home value in San Jose currently sitting at $1,184,400. In a city with such expensive housing, many families opt for renting to make the high cost of living work with their budget.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in San Jose, CA?

When you live in a high-cost-of-living area, you need to make sure you don't overextend yourself on rent payments. We recommend following the standard 30% rule, which recommends paying no more than 30% of your pretax income for housing costs.

If you consider the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in San Jose at $2,934, you can calculate that you need to earn around $117,360 annually ($9,780 a month) or around $56.42 an hour to live a reasonable lifestyle in San Jose.

Rent affordability calculators can help you determine what you can afford if you are thinking about moving to San Jose.

It may not feel realistic to stick to the 30% rule when looking for an apartment in San Jose. You may need to share an apartment with a significant other or a roommate (or two). Otherwise, you may have to consider side hustles while you grow your income.

Before you finalize your budget for life in San Jose, look over MIT’s living-wage data. San Jose's living wage considers several factors, including the bare minimum amount needed to live in a specific area and still get by. The latest data indicate that you should earn a living wage of at least $35.28 per hour for one working adult without children and $34.29 each for two working adults and a child.

Keep in mind, this is the minimum amount of money you need to live in San Jose to live at or above the poverty line. You'll need to raise that amount to cover additional expenses, such as student loans, travel, credit card debt, an emergency fund, and any investments.

San Jose's June unemployment rate stands at 4.7%, which is above the national average of 4.1% as of June 2025. The good news is that San Jose is known for its tech jobs, infrastructure-related careers, and booming corporations that generally offer high wages. According to Payscale, the average base salary in San Jose is $116,000 per year, which is nearly double the national average of $66,622.

How Much Is Transportation in San Jose, CA?

According to data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, an average single San Jose resident spends $11,418 annually, or around $952 monthly, on transportation costs (read: owning a car). A family with two working adults and one child pays an average of $16,645 annually, or approximately $1,387 per month, to cover transportation costs.

If you want to avoid the high costs associated with car ownership, a single ride on public transit in San Jose costs about $2.85. Monthly passes are available on the Clipper transit pass, and subscriptions are available for a monthly or annual basis.

Currently, San Jose’s overall walk score is 51, indicating that some areas may be challenging to navigate without a vehicle; however, its bike score is 62.

How Much Are Groceries in San Jose?

Single residents in San Jose can expect to pay approximately $419 per month, or $5,030 annually, on groceries. A family with two working adults and one child in San Jose spends an annual average of $11,463 on groceries, or about $955 per month.

That said, you probably won’t spend every day making meals. 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's cuisine is enough to tempt anyone for a night of dining out.

Data from Numbeo indicates that you can expect to spend around $20.50 for an inexpensive meal, excluding the tip, alcohol, and dessert. If you grab a friend and indulge in a three-course meal at a mid-level restaurant, you can expect to pay $100.

How Much Is Child Care in San Jose, CA?

Child care in San Jose is extremely expensive, making it crucial to plan ahead as much as possible if you have children or plan to have them soon. MIT’s latest data shows you’ll spend around $20,966 for the annual cost of one child at daycare in San Jose. For two children, the price is $44,042. You can consider a nanny share with another family or explore a more flexible, remote schedule that accommodates your child's schedule.

How Much Is Healthcare in San Jose, CA?

Healthcare is another expense to consider when relocating. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, single residents of San Jose spend an average of $2,896 per year, or $241 per month, on these costs, while a family with two adults and one child spends $10,973 per year, or $914 per month.

How Much Are Utilities in San Jose, CA?

The average utility bills in San Jose will vary depending on the season. While the average utility bill in the U.S. is $240.57 a month, San Jose residents pay $248.43 for basic utilities, including gas, water, fuel, and electricity. According to Numbeo, if you want to add internet, you'll pay $69.13, which will raise your overall utilities to $317.56.

San Jose, CA, Fitness and Entertainment

​​Staying fit and having fun are pillars of California living. According to data from Numbeo, the average gym membership in San Jose costs $115 per month, or $1,380 annually. You can save on fitness costs by biking, walking, or looking for an apartment complex with a pool and an on-site gym.

Beyond fitness, you also need to factor some entertainment into your San Jose lifestyle. Seeing the latest blockbuster will cost around $16 at the local cinema, but that figure doesn't include snacks or drinks.

San Jose residents can stay fit for free by taking advantage of popular outdoor destinations, such as Alum Rock Park, a park featuring 13 miles of trails and a 65-mile urban trail network that winds through areas like the Coyote Creek Trail and the Guadalupe River Trail. Other outdoor opportunities include Santa Teresa County Park, the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, and Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

How Much Are Taxes in San Jose, CA?

San Jose’s current city sales tax rate is 9.375%. As of today, the state sales tax is 6.0%, and the local tax is 3.375%.

California’s state income tax currently has nine categories, with the lowest earners making between $0 and $10,756 taxed at a rate of 1%, and the highest earners making $721,314 or more, taxed at 12.3% (for those who are single or married and filing separately).

Income taxes are also an expense to consider when evaluating the cost of living. State income taxes that are too high can cut into your living expenses and may make it harder to thrive in certain regions or cities.

San Jose’s Job Market

San Jose is firmly attached to Silicon Valley's high-tech economy. With thousands of tech firms in the area, they remain a high employer for residents, and the unemployment rate is 4.7% as of June 2025.

While the unemployment rate stays relatively low, there have been many layoffs by tech giants in recent years, but opportunities in the area remain steady. A few of the major employers in San Jose include Adobe, NASA, NVIDIA, and eBay.

Find Your Next Apartment in San Jose, CA

San Jose is a hot spot in Silicon Valley, offering tech jobs and all the perks that California has to offer, including numerous parks and year-round recreational opportunities. For many, it’s the ideal way to live, work, and enjoy the good life.

With the right tools, you can find an apartment to suit your lifestyle and budget. Take the Apartment List quiz or use the filter tabs to help you find your next place. With us, you’ll spend five minutes and save 50 hours searching.

FAQs: What to Know About the Cost of Living in San Jose, CA in 2025

How expensive is an apartment in San Jose?

If you start the search early, you’ll likely be able to find an apartment in San Jose for less than the city’s average price of $3,265, especially if you’re willing to look at more affordable neighborhoods like Blackford or Willow Glen.

As of July 2025, one-bedroom units cost an average of $2,934, and two-bedroom units cost around $3,506.

Where is the most affordable place to live in San Jose?

San Jose is an expensive place to live, but there are a few neighborhoods you can move to save on rent. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for around $2,297 in Blackford, San Jose. A two-bedroom apartment in Blackford will cost about $3,170.

How expensive is it to live in San Jose?

Honestly, it’s pretty expensive to live in San Jose. With rentals costing an average of $3,265 across the city and other costs like child care costing as much as $20,966 for one child annually, it may be hard to live there unless you’re earning a high salary.

What is the population of San Jose?

According to the United States Census Bureau, 1,797,266 people lived in San Jose as of the 2020 census.

What is a good salary in San Jose?

Data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator suggests that single residents with no kids should earn around $73,382 per year before taxes to live a comfortable lifestyle.

Based on the 30% rule, where renters spend no more than 30% of their income on rent, you would need to earn around $117,360 annually ($9,780 a month) or around $56.42 an hour to live above the poverty line in San Jose.