salarySan Jose is the 3rd-largest city in California that we track, with 990,138 residents. Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 91% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $121,840 a year. That is $59 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 511 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare San Jose with other big cities
Compare San Jose to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in San Jose?
Share of households by yearly income. 56.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in San Jose
| Size | San Jose | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,211 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,436 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,897 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,689 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is San Jose overall?
Everyday prices in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in San Jose
Life in San Jose
What jobs pay in San Jose
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $301,320 | 12.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $231,560 | 15.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $223,640 | 16.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $216,740 | 16.9% |
| Software Developer | $213,110 | 17.2% |
| Pharmacist | $199,040 | 18.4% |
| Operations Manager | $163,860 | 22.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $157,140 | 23.3% |
| Firefighter | $152,100 | 24.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $141,960 | 25.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $139,990 | 26.1% |
| Police Officer | $136,140 | 26.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,280 | 28.1% |
| Accountant | $121,700 | 30.0% |
| Plumber | $107,560 | 34.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,860 | 35.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $95,320 | 38.3% |
| Electrician | $91,030 | 40.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $82,050 | 44.5% |
| Carpenter | $80,190 | 45.6% |
| Truck Driver | $70,730 | 51.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,940 | 59.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $60,480 | 60.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,840 | 64.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,170 | 77.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,060 | 77.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $44,220 | 82.7% |
| Cashier | $42,960 | 85.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $41,920 | 87.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in San Jose?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,511 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,233,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $123,320 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Jose, CA?
Renting in San Jose costs a median of about $3,046 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in San Jose?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $121,840 a year, or $59 an hour at a full-time job.
Is San Jose cheap or expensive?
San Jose is rated OK: rent takes 23.1% of the typical household income of $157,922. It ranks 511th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in San Jose?
The median homeowner in San Jose pays $9,393 a year in property taxes, about 0.76% of the median home value.
Is San Jose more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in San Jose?
The median home value in San Jose is $1,233,200, about 7.8 times the typical yearly household income.
990,138 people live in San Jose. Numbers are typical (middle) values.