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Renter’s City Guide to San Jose, CA
Introducing San Jose Expenses & Housing Stats Jobs & Education Lifestyle & Renting Tips

Although Los Angeles and San Francisco are the stars among California cities, San Jose is also well worthy of praise. Known for its wonderful weather and gorgeous architecture, the city is also a commerce hub, with a rich cultural background and a high population of young professionals. San Jose has also developed a reputation of being a center for the technology industry due to its proximity to Silicon Valley. In fact, Time Magazine ranked San Jose the #1 city in the U.S. for jobs.

How big is San Jose?

San Jose is the largest city in Northern California and also the seat of Santa Clara County. It is also the third most populous city in California, after Los Angeles and San Diego.

What cities are close to San Jose?

San Jose is only 55 miles from San Francisco and 59 miles from Berkley, truly making it the heart of Northern California.

What is the weather like in San Jose?

San Jose has a Mediterranean climate, with an average of 301 days of sunshine per year and average annual temperatures of 60.5°F.

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What are the pros of living in San Jose?

One of the perks of living in San Jose is that it is a city of young residents, many of them attracted by the tech and startup jobs offered in the Bay Area. This has resulted in a thriving nightlife and entertainment scene, although the city is also a great place for those who enjoy arts, as well as an active lifestyle. San Jose also has a diverse population, with numerous neighborhoods that have Mexican and Asian residents.

What are the cons of living in San Jose?

Like many cities in California, San Jose can experience heavy traffic jams and long commute times. However, many companies offer shuttle and bus services for their employees.

San Jose Demographic Highlights
Total Population 1,013,337
Female
Male
497,752
515,585
Median Age 37.5
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Is San Jose an expensive city?

The cost of living in San Jose is usually higher than the national average, although residents also earn higher wages, making it sustainable. Consumer prices, including rent, are 9.34% higher in San Jose than in Los Angeles but 18.97% lower than in San Francisco.

How much is public transportation in San Jose?

Public transportation in San Jose is provided by the Valley Transportation Authority, operating several express, local and shuttle bus services. The price for a single ride is $2.50 for adults, or you can opt for a monthly pass at $90. VTA also offers light-rail services, although the city has several other rail services to and from the city, such as Amtrak, ACE, Caltrain and BART. Taxis usually charge $4.20 per mile, and gas is $3.66 per gallon.

How much does a meal cost in San Jose?

A three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in San Jose is $70 on average. You can also find cheaper options in inexpensive restaurants, where a meal is typically $18, or you can grab a fast food meal combo for $10. A regular cappuccino costs $4.

How much are utilities in San Jose?

The average monthly utility bill for a 915 sq ft apartment in San Jose is $130, and internet services will be an additional $60.

San Jose Rent Statistics
Apartment Rent Ranges
$501 - $7000%
$701 - $1,0000%
$1,001 - $1,5000.55%
$1,501 - $2,0004.1%
> $200095.35%
Average Rent Trends
What is the average rent in San Jose?

The average rent for an apartment in San Jose is $2,939 per month.

What is the average apartment size in San Jose?

The average apartment size in San Jose is 883 sq. ft.

What is the rent for a studio apartment in San Jose?

Rent for a studio apartment in San Jose ranges between $1,436 and $7,000 per month.

What is the rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose?

Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose ranges between $1,750 and $10,000 per month.

What is the rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose?

Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose ranges between $2,025 and $11,923 per month.

What is the rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Jose?

Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Jose ranges between $2,495 and $13,733 per month.

San Jose Housing Statistics
Occupied Housing Units 324,376
Owner occupied 56.19%
Renter occupied 43.81%
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What are the major industries in San Jose?

The Bay Area is renowned for being an engineering and technology hub, and San Jose is no exception. Much of the city’s workforce is made up of graduates from local universities, most coming from computer science and engineering fields. While this makes San Jose a great city for entrepreneurs, it has also led to a staggering increase in housing prices. 

Is it easy to find work in San Jose?

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA had an unemployment rate of just 3.7% in April 2016, below the national average of 5%. San Jose residents also have the highest median household income of any city, with a population of over 280,000 in the U.S.

San Jose Employment Statistics
White Collar 443,375
Blue Collar 87,514
White Collar 83.52%
Blue Collar 16.48%
Self Employment 43,428
Private Companies 399,423
Governmental Workers 56,141
Not for Profit Companies 31,897
Self Employment 8.18%
Private Companies 75.24%
Governmental Workers 10.57%
Not for Profit Companies 6.01%
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What are the top colleges in San Jose?

San Jose is home to several top-rated universities, making it a very appealing city for those pursuing higher education, especially in STEM fields. Notable institutions include San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, San Jose City College (SJCC), National Hispanic University, as well as CALMAT (California University of Management and Technology), which is less than an hour away from Stanford and U.C. Berkeley.

San Jose Education Statistics
No High School7.78%
Some High School23.52%
Some College18.98%
Associate Degree7.3%
Bachelor Degree24.88%
Graduate Degree17.53%

What are the top attractions in San Jose?

San Jose has a diverse cultural and entertainment scene, catering to both families and singles. The Municipal Rose Garden is a great place for a stroll in spring and summer, or if you’re a history buff, don’t miss out on the unique exhibits at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum or the Winchester Mystery House.

What is there to do in San Jose for families?

Families with kids will have a fantastic time at the Children’s Discovery Museum, or if you want to inspire future generations of engineers, make sure to visit the interactive exhibits at the Tech Museum of Innovation.

What is there to do in San Jose for couples?

If you’re looking for a romantic day out with your special someone, the J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines is a spot-on choice, especially if you want to take a fun tour of a Californian vineyard, complete with a wine tasting. For a special place to grab something to eat, check out the SJ Omogari Korean Restaurant, where you can try some of the best California sushi rolls in the country. 

What sports teams play in San Jose?

Sports fans will always be cheering for their favorite teams in San Jose. The city is home to the San Jose Sharks, the San Jose Giants, the San Jose Earthquakes, as well as San Jose State Spartans, ensuring that there are plenty of sporting events throughout the year.

What are the main annual events in San Jose?

One of the most exciting annual festivals in San Jose is Tahiti Fete. It takes place every summer, and it’s the largest festival celebrating Tahitian culture outside of Tahiti. 

Where to go shopping in San Jose?

For a unique shopping experience, check out the San Jose Flea Market on Berryessa Road. Playing host to anywhere between 1000 and 2000 vendors, the market is a great place to pick up homemade items, as well as stop for a bite to eat in one of the many bars and restaurants nearby.

San Jose Household Statistics
Total Number of Households 324,376
Average People Per Household 3
Median Household Income$125,075
Average Household Income$162,521
Family
Non-family
234,545
89,831
Children
No Children
116,998
207,378

What are the renter’s rights in San Jose?

The state of California has several laws that oversee renters’ rights in the city of San Jose. Landlords are not allowed to retaliate against tenants who complain about living conditions or increase rent as a means of discrimination. As a tenant, you cannot be locked out from your rental unit at the end of your eviction notice if you haven’t yet found a place to live. In such cases, you will need to present the court with a written explanation, usually within five days, as to why you have not vacated the premises. Landlords are required to disclose information on services and utilities they provide in the lease or rental agreement and cannot increase rent for the duration of the rental agreement. If landlords do want to increase rent, they must provide tenants with at least 30 days’ notice before doing so.

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