Cost of Living in Santa Clara, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,431 (excluding rent), and $3,991 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,949 (excluding rent), and $7,903 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.46 $25.46

$15.28 $15.28

$50.9 $50.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$109 $109

$59.5 $59.5

$198 $198

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.72 $13.72

$9.8 $9.8

$14.71 $14.71

Cappuccino

$5.83 $5.83

$3.95 $3.95

$7.91 $7.91

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

$3.4 $3.4

$2.05 $2.05

$5.12 $5.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.5 $2.5

$1.99 $1.99

$3.98 $3.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.95 $8.95

$4.97 $4.97

$9.94 $9.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.16 $9.16

$6.11 $6.11

$12.21 $12.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.07 $1.07

$1.89 $1.89

White Bread (500g)

$4.86 $4.86

$2.17 $2.17

$7.87 $7.87

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$2.21 $2.21

$13.29 $13.29

Eggs

$5.48 $5.48

$2.04 $2.04

$9.18 $9.18

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.8 $20.8

$4.09 $4.09

$43.24 $43.24

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.22 $15.22

$6.7 $6.7

$26.9 $26.9

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.62 $22.62

$6.51 $6.51

$32.68 $32.68

Apples (1kg)

$5.98 $5.98

$2.14 $2.14

$8.59 $8.59

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.49 $1.49

$6.67 $6.67

Oranges (1kg)

$4.8 $4.8

$2.16 $2.16

$8.66 $8.66

Tomato (1kg)

$6.53 $6.53

$2.17 $2.17

$10.83 $10.83

Potato (1kg)

$3.47 $3.47

$1.45 $1.45

$4.37 $4.37

Onion (1kg)

$4 $4

$1.8 $1.8

$6.77 $6.77

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.9 $2.9

$1.52 $1.52

$4.04 $4.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$0.76 $0.76

$3.52 $3.52

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.36 $11.36

$7.57 $7.57

$13.13 $13.13

Wine (Bottle)

$12.23 $12.23

$9.16 $9.16

$22.43 $22.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.4 $1.4

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 $3.32

$1.02 $1.02

$5.08 $5.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.98 $2.98

$3.98 $3.98

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$69.6 $69.6

$49.7 $49.7

$89.5 $89.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.44 $3.44

$4.92 $4.92

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 $1.92

$3.15 $3.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.89 $29.89

$38.86 $38.86

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$0.97 $0.97

$1.41 $1.41

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

$30K $30K

$36.7K $36.7K

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$25K $25K

$26.9K $26.9K

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

$225 $225

$153 $153

$407 $407

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

$49.32 $49.32

$20.36 $20.36

$81.5 $81.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$45.15 $45.15

$105 $105

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$101 $101

$25.23 $25.23

$177 $177

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.39 $12.39

Cinema Ticket

$16.75 $16.75

$14.78 $14.78

$19.71 $19.71

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

$1,933 $1,933

$983 $983

$2,458 $2,458

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.7K $25.7K

$17.8K $17.8K

$39.5K $39.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.3 $55.3

$29.48 $29.48

$96.3 $96.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.67 $44.67

$25.28 $25.28

$70.8 $70.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.8 $87.8

$49.9 $49.9

$135 $135

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$135 $135

$59.4 $59.4

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,971 $2,971

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,366 $2,366

$1,971 $1,971

$2,661 $2,661

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,238 $4,238

$3,966 $3,966

$4,957 $4,957

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,251 $4,251

$3,985 $3,985

$4,782 $4,782

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,910 $8,910

$8,730 $8,730

$8,999 $8,999

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,108 $9,108

$9,087 $9,087

$9,130 $9,130

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,110 $8,110

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.8

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Santa Clara, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara offers steady value for a high-demand tech region. The Cost of Living in Santa Clara, CA, United States sits above many mid-sized cities but remains more approachable than core San Francisco Bay Area pockets. Housing tends to anchor budgets - short-term rentals and serviced apartments are convenient for arrivals, while longer leases can ease monthly costs if utilities or amenities are included. Food, transportation, and co-working options are widely available, with a mix of mainstream supermarkets, diverse eateries, and accessible transit. Seasonality matters less than proximity to major employers and schools, which can shift crowds and rates. Tip: map your month around commute patterns and neighborhood vibe to stretch your budget.

Begin with a neighborhood filter. For housing, target areas with quick access to VTA light rail or Caltrain, and consider shared apartments to curb upfront costs. Look for leases with utilities included or flexible terms. For food, explore farmers markets and affordable supermarkets, plus meal-prep options to stretch meals. Transportation leans on a mix of car, transit, and bike; a monthly pass can cut daily costs. Co-working spaces range from cafe-friendly spots to campus-style hubs; verify hours and seating before committing. Santa Clara, CA, United States living cost figures into your choice when weighing location against commute and lifestyle. Tip: compare total monthly costs and keep a flexible plan.

Adopt a simple budgeting framework that separates fixed costs from discretionary ones. Prioritize housing that minimizes long daily commutes and supports online work, then balance groceries, dining, and entertainment within set caps. In Santa Clara, a mild winter and dry summers influence activity choices - spring and fall can be great for outdoor work spaces and low-stress shopping trips, while summer heat may push you toward indoor options and energy-saving habits. Neighborhood fit matters: some areas offer quieter streets and parks, others require shorter trips to tech campuses. Consider time-bound deals on leases, off-peak dining, and free community events to stretch value. Tip: track expenses for three months to identify where small changes yield the biggest gains.