Cost of Living in San Jose, California
San Jose has a population of about 990,138. The median household income is $146,427, median gross rent is $2,669/month, and the median home value is $1,233,200. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is San Jose expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in San Jose is 61% above the national median and home values are 229% above the national median. Household income here is 74% above the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 22% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Jose?
The median gross rent in San Jose, California is $2,669 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in San Jose?
The median owner-occupied home value in San Jose is $1,233,200 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in San Jose?
The median household income in San Jose is $146,427 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.