Cost of Living in San Jose, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,406 (excluding rent), and $4,478 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,493 (excluding rent), and $8,460 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.19 $20.19

$14.77 $14.77

$49.24 $49.24

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$60.5 $60.5

$202 $202

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.34 $11.34

$9.86 $9.86

$12.82 $12.82

Cappuccino

$5.7 $5.7

$3.92 $3.92

$7.84 $7.84

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

$3.32 $3.32

$2.03 $2.03

$5.08 $5.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.99 $1.99

$3.98 $3.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.07 $9.07

$6.05 $6.05

$10.08 $10.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.02 $11.02

$8.02 $8.02

$15.03 $15.03

Milk (1 liter)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.08 $1.08

$2.16 $2.16

White Bread (500g)

$4.82 $4.82

$2.7 $2.7

$6.46 $6.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.2 $3.2

$2.18 $2.18

$4.37 $4.37

Eggs

$4.9 $4.9

$2.98 $2.98

$8.97 $8.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.5 $21.5

$13.41 $13.41

$33.53 $33.53

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.1 $15.1

$10.8 $10.8

$30.3 $30.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.78 $22.78

$15.34 $15.34

$43.89 $43.89

Apples (1kg)

$6.22 $6.22

$3.32 $3.32

$8.94 $8.94

Banana (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.52 $1.52

$6.79 $6.79

Oranges (1kg)

$4.75 $4.75

$3.18 $3.18

$8.56 $8.56

Tomato (1kg)

$6.81 $6.81

$4.53 $4.53

$11.31 $11.31

Potato (1kg)

$3.59 $3.59

$1.5 $1.5

$4.52 $4.52

Onion (1kg)

$4.27 $4.27

$1.91 $1.91

$10.72 $10.72

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.97 $1.97

$3.92 $3.92

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$0.77 $0.77

$3.56 $3.56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$10.05 $10.05

$13.06 $13.06

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$9.8 $9.8

$19.62 $19.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.3 $2.3

$1.72 $1.72

$2.98 $2.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.45 $3.45

$1.71 $1.71

$6.13 $6.13

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$5.95 $5.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.3 $88.3

$177 $177

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.6 $3.6

$15.43 $15.43

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 $1.81

$3.03 $3.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.07 $30.07

$65.2 $65.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.2 $1.2

$1.48 $1.48

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

$30.4K $30.4K

$37.2K $37.2K

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$25.5K $25.5K

$26.8K $26.8K

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

$289 $289

$188 $188

$444 $444

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

$49.28 $49.28

$25.43 $25.43

$81.4 $81.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.8 $66.8

$49.01 $49.01

$103 $103

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$125 $125

$45.51 $45.51

$354 $354

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.83 $30.83

$12.06 $12.06

$50.3 $50.3

Cinema Ticket

$15.8 $15.8

$15.29 $15.29

$22.42 $22.42

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

$1,962 $1,962

$1,496 $1,496

$2,494 $2,494

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.6K $25.6K

$17.7K $17.7K

$39.4K $39.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.1 $52.1

$29.43 $29.43

$96.1 $96.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.64 $43.64

$24.69 $24.69

$69.2 $69.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.4 $87.4

$49.67 $49.67

$134 $134

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$81 $81

$202 $202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,989 $2,989

$2,469 $2,469

$3,950 $3,950

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,658 $2,658

$1,962 $1,962

$3,630 $3,630

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,168 $5,168

$4,241 $4,241

$7,791 $7,791

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,636 $4,636

$4,079 $4,079

$6,629 $6,629

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.5K $10.5K

$9,584 $9,584

$12.9K $12.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,512 $9,512

$8,624 $8,624

$11.8K $11.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,810 $5,810

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

6.8

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in San Jose, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose sits at the high end of the Bay Area in terms of cost, especially housing. You’ll notice everyday expenses for dining and groceries tracking urban California norms, while transport varies with your commuting style. The core value comes from access: a thriving tech scene, diverse neighborhoods, and proximity to parks and nature. If you can live near transit or in a less central pocket, you may stretch your budget further. Short- and mid-term stays are common among newcomers who want flexibility before committing. Cost of Living in San Jose, CA, United States centers on housing, which often drives total budgets. Tip: Map housing first, then layer in food and transit based on season and work pattern.

For daily life, focus on neighborhoods. In San Jose you’ll find a mix of single-family pockets like Willow Glen and more transit-accessible zones like Downtown and East San Jose. Housing search benefits from online listings, in-person visits, and quick neighborhood tours. Food options range from farmers markets to diverse ethnic eateries; cooking at home is common to control costs. Transit includes light rail, Caltrain, buses, and rideshares; cycling is feasible in many areas. The San Jose, CA, United States living cost tends to reflect proximity to tech jobs and schools, so plan for seasonal changes in demand. Tip: Build a short-term plan with a few neighborhood visits and flexible housing options.

A practical budgeting framework starts with housing as the anchor, then plan for utilities, groceries, and transport. San Jose enjoys mild winters but hot summers; energy costs can shift with air conditioning use. For quality of life, think about neighborhood fit: Willow Glen for quiet, family-friendly streets; Downtown for easy transit and dining; East San Jose for more affordable options and cultural vibrancy; consider proximity to parks, libraries, and coworking spaces. Seasonal patterns influence outdoor plans, events, and crowds. Track recurring costs by category and set a monthly cap to balance work and exploration. Tip: seasonally recalibrate your budget as you test neighborhoods and routines.