Cost of living in San Jose, California
Santa Clara County, CA
Part of the San Jose Metro Area
Population 1,903,297 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in San Jose
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in San Jose
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in San Jose
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in San Jose
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in San Jose
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in San Jose
State and local tax rates for California.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in San Jose
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for San Jose
What it costs to live in San Jose each month.
- Rent $2,975
- Energy $217
- Water $60
- Groceries $397
- Transport $250
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $1,149
- State tax $295
- Rent $3,446
- Energy $260
- Water $70
- Groceries $658
- Transport $350
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $2,585
- State tax $959
- Rent $4,477
- Energy $326
- Water $85
- Groceries $998
- Transport $450
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $2,585
- State tax $959
Frequently asked questions about San Jose
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in San Jose?
In San Jose, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,975 per month, a two-bedroom averages $3,446 per month, a three-bedroom averages $4,477 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in San Jose?
In San Jose, California, the average household income is $159,674 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $74,030 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in San Jose?
The estimated cost of living in San Jose, California is approximately $5,823 per month for a single person, $9,192 for a couple, $12,430 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in San Jose?
The combined sales tax rate in San Jose, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.
Is San Jose an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in San Jose, California would need approximately $5,823 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $159,674 per year ($13,306 per month). San Jose is relatively affordable compared to the national average.
How much does healthcare cost in San Jose?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in San Jose, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in San Jose?
The average home value in San Jose, California is $1,382,800, with average annual property taxes of $9,766, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does San Jose compare to other areas?
You can compare San Jose, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. San Jose is in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area.
Other counties in California
Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP