Living in San Jose, CA
San Jose is the 13th-largest city in the US, home to about 990,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.3% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (110.4 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 989,814-2.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $1,233,2008.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,669/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $146,427median, per year
- Price level
- 110.4US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 60° / 81°lows 42° / 58°
- Average commute
- 27 min20% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Santa Clara County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 85 ft
Metro area: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Cost of living in San Jose
The median home in San Jose is worth $1,233,200 and the median household earns $146,427 a year, so a typical home costs about 8.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,669 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area at 110.4, with housing at 211.9 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $82,800 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in San Jose?
San Jose weather
Average highs run from 60°F in January to 81°F in July, and January nights average 42°F. It gets 14 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are February to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit San Jose
People and work
The median resident is 38.2 years old, and 47% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 56% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 20% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 38.2375th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 47%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 56%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,563177.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.1%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 8.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1976median year
Who moves to San Jose, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Seattle (King County) and San Diego (San Diego County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Seattle (King County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Santa Clara County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, earthquake, coastal flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
-1% in a year
Up 27% over five years. FHFA house price index for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
92% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near San Jose
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Stanford University 17 miles
- San Jose State University in San Jose
- De Anza College 9 miles
- University of California-Santa Cruz 25 miles
- California State University-East Bay 24 miles
- San Jose City College 2 miles
- Evergreen Valley College 7 miles
- Ohlone College 14 miles
- Cabrillo College 24 miles
- Las Positas College 27 miles
- College of San Mateo 28 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near San Jose
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose International Airport SJC | 3 mi | 5,822,019 |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport OAK | 33 mi | 5,292,736 |
| San Francisco International Airport SFO | 33 mi | 25,078,968 |
| Monterey Regional Airport MRY | 51 mi | 305,434 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near San Jose
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose State University | in town | 27,601 | $14,241 | 68% |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | 25 mi | 17,940 | $18,549 | 74% |
| De Anza College | 9 mi | 15,264 | $3,801 | n/a |
| California State University-East Bay | 24 mi | 9,809 | $6,858 | 49% |
| Cabrillo College | 24 mi | 8,002 | $17,735 | 41% |
| Evergreen Valley College | 7 mi | 7,688 | $9,375 | 44% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in San Jose
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 12, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 3 and the first frost comes around December 22.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for San Jose, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for San Jose.
Wildfire smoke in San Jose
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered San Jose on about 43 days a year, including about 8 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in San Jose
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 328,550 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in San Jose
Downtown San Jose is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Unified School District | K to 12 | 24,453 | 41 | 20.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Fremont Unified School District (33,134 students), East Side Union High School District (20,001 students), Santa Clara Unified School District (14,448 students), Cupertino Union Elementary School District (13,533 students), Milpitas Unified School District (10,086 students), Fremont Union High School District (9,457 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
San Jose's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to San Jose's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Thousand Oaks, CA80% matchCompare
- Carlsbad, CA74% matchCompare
- Torrance, CA72% matchCompare
- Mission Viejo, CA69% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near San Jose
- Dodge Ridge Ski Area 121 miles
- Badger Pass Ski Area 124 miles
- Bear Valley Mountain Resort 130 miles
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort 136 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in San Jose
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 10 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Clean air: 334 of 365 days in 2025 had good air quality in the metro (EPA).
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 8.4 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 10% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Santa Clara County (FEMA rates it very high), led by inland flooding, earthquake and coastal flooding.
San Jose report card from locals
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Cities near San Jose
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara, CA | 4 mi | 133,446 | $1,582,600 | 110.4 | Compare |
| Milpitas, CA | 7 mi | 78,596 | $1,251,700 | 110.4 | Compare |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8 mi | 156,577 | $1,801,800 | 110.4 | Compare |
| Mountain View, CA | 11 mi | 85,438 | $1,927,000 | 110.4 | Compare |
| Fremont, CA | 17 mi | 226,442 | $1,403,800 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Redwood City, CA | 22 mi | 82,178 | $1,801,700 | 115.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Los Altos, Saratoga and Cupertino lead our ranking of the best suburbs of San Jose.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare San Jose with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is San Jose a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 10 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, a shrinking population. Compare San Jose side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of San Jose?
The Census Bureau estimates San Jose had 989,814 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 1,013,321 in April 2020 (-2.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in San Jose?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $82,800 in the San Jose area. The median household here earns $146,427.
When is the best time to visit San Jose?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 81°F and January 60°F for daytime highs.
What county is San Jose in?
San Jose is in Santa Clara County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is San Jose in?
San Jose is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of San Jose?
About 85 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of San Jose. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, San Jose, CA station; snowfall from San Jose, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.