salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 96% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 65.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $132,360 a year. That is $64 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 553 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Santa Clara?
Share of households by yearly income. 63.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Clara
| Size | Santa Clara | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,773 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,816 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,343 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
Life in Santa Clara
What jobs pay in Santa Clara
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $301,320 | 13.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $231,560 | 17.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $223,640 | 17.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $216,740 | 18.3% |
| Software Developer | $213,110 | 18.6% |
| Pharmacist | $199,040 | 19.9% |
| Operations Manager | $163,860 | 24.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $157,140 | 25.3% |
| Firefighter | $152,100 | 26.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $141,960 | 28.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $139,990 | 28.4% |
| Police Officer | $136,140 | 29.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,280 | 30.5% |
| Accountant | $121,700 | 32.6% |
| Plumber | $107,560 | 36.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,860 | 38.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $95,320 | 41.7% |
| Electrician | $91,030 | 43.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $82,050 | 48.4% |
| Carpenter | $80,190 | 49.5% |
| Truck Driver | $70,730 | 56.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,940 | 64.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $60,480 | 65.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,840 | 69.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,170 | 84.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,060 | 84.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $44,220 | 89.8% |
| Cashier | $42,960 | 92.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $41,920 | 94.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Santa Clara?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $7,672 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,582,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $158,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Santa Clara, CA?
Renting in Santa Clara costs a median of about $3,309 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Santa Clara?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $132,360 a year, or $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Clara cheap or expensive?
Santa Clara is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $193,006. It ranks 553rd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Santa Clara?
The median homeowner in Santa Clara pays $9,234 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara?
The median home value in Santa Clara is $1,582,600, about 8.2 times the typical yearly household income.
130,256 people live in Santa Clara. Numbers are typical (middle) values.