Cost of Living in Cupertino, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,043 (excluding rent), and $3,192 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,488 (excluding rent), and $7,199 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.73 $22.73

$15.15 $15.15

$30.31 $30.31

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.4 $68.4

$36.19 $36.19

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.14 $10.14

$12.17 $12.17

Cappuccino

$5.37 $5.37

$1.99 $1.99

$5.96 $5.96

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.04 $2.04

$3.06 $3.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.06 $2.06

$3.09 $3.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$2.92 $2.92

$7.78 $7.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.6 $8.6

$4.05 $4.05

$9.11 $9.11

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$0.62 $0.62

$1.63 $1.63

White Bread (500g)

$3.61 $3.61

$1.08 $1.08

$4.34 $4.34

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$2.22 $2.22

$6.67 $6.67

Eggs

$3.56 $3.56

$2.04 $2.04

$7.12 $7.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.02 $9.02

$6.76 $6.76

$13.53 $13.53

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.15 $11.15

$13.39 $13.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.89 $10.89

$15.23 $15.23

Apples (1kg)

$6.31 $6.31

$2.22 $2.22

$6.67 $6.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.29 $1.29

$2.15 $2.15

Oranges (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

Tomato (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$2.15 $2.15

$6.52 $6.52

Potato (1kg)

$3.77 $3.77

$1.7 $1.7

$4.31 $4.31

Onion (1kg)

$5.8 $5.8

$1.56 $1.56

$6.71 $6.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.31 $1.31

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.85 $9.85

Wine (Bottle)

$10.57 $10.57

$6.04 $6.04

$20.13 $20.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.78 $1.78

$2.94 $2.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.03 $1.03

$4.11 $4.11

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.28 $1.28

$2.05 $2.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$139 $139

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.55 $3.55

$3.04 $3.04

$5.07 $5.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.58 $1.58

$2.21 $2.21

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.75 $29.75

$26.91 $26.91

$35.67 $35.67

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.12 $1.12

$1.29 $1.29

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.9K $30.9K

$24.4K $24.4K

$37.5K $37.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27K $27K

$25.5K $25.5K

$29.9K $29.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$182 $182

$68.9 $68.9

$295 $295

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.3 $51.3

$15 $15

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.6 $65.6

$45.02 $45.02

$100 $100

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.32 $45.32

$40.28 $40.28

$50.4 $50.4

Cinema Ticket

$18.31 $18.31

$10.17 $10.17

$20.35 $20.35

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,126 $2,126

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.4K $23.4K

$16.8K $16.8K

$27.2K $27.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.21 $32.21

$14.09 $14.09

$50.3 $50.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.91 $34.91

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.7 $70.7

$50.5 $50.5

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 $69.4

$39.65 $39.65

$99.1 $99.1

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,431 $2,431

$2,026 $2,026

$3,039 $3,039

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,914 $1,914

$1,813 $1,813

$2,015 $2,015

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,509 $4,509

$4,008 $4,008

$5,511 $5,511

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,068 $4,068

$3,725 $3,725

$4,411 $4,411

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,639 $7,639

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Cupertino, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cupertino sits at the premium end of the U.S. tech corridor. The Cost of Living in Cupertino, CA tends to reflect strong housing demand, high services costs, and a well-funded local economy. For travelers, temporary housing near downtown or tech campuses can be convenient but pricier than nearby suburbs. Expats and digital nomads often gain value by choosing flexible stays, coworking nearby, and cooking at home to trim dining expenses. You’ll notice clear gaps between older buildings and newer complexes, as well as between walkable centers and quieter residential pockets. Tip: look for flexible leases and neighborhood options that fit your schedule.

Daily life in Cupertino centers on practical choices: housing near work or schools, a curated grocery list, and transport that fits your schedule. For housing, consider leasing in walkable corridors near the downtown core or in neighboring towns with more breathing room. Cooking at home helps manage the budget, and farmers markets offer fresh options seasonally. Food choices range from casual eateries to well-stocked markets; prices reflect the local economy but quality remains high. Transportation leans car-centric, with bikes and rideshares viable for short hops. For coworking or errands, look for spaces near transit hubs and campus areas. Cupertino, CA living cost varies by neighborhood. Tip: test a few spaces in different seasons to find the best fit.

Quality of life hinges on neighborhood fit, budgeting discipline, and practical saving tricks. Use a simple monthly framework: allocate housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, with a buffer for surprises. Savings come from cooking, choosing utilities wisely, and planning ahead for big purchases or long stays. Seasonality affects dining and entertainment options; the market for interns and short-term visitors can spike around school terms and product launches. Seek neighborhoods with parks, schools, and easy access to tech campuses or coworking hubs to balance work and downtime. Tip: map your typical week across different neighborhoods before committing to a long-term lease.