Cost of Living in San Jose

Summary of cost of living in San Jose, CA, United States:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 5,437.3$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,503.1$, excluding rent.
  • San Jose is 3.7% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in San Jose is, on average, 21.8% higher than in Seattle.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 21.00 $ 15.00-50.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 100.00 $ 75.00-150.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 11.50 $ 10.00-13.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 9.00 $ 6.00-10.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 11.50 $ 8.00-15.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 5.74 $ 4.00-8.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 3.30 $ 3.00-5.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) 2.29 $ 2.00-4.00
Markets
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Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 1.46 $ 1.06-2.11
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 4.24 $ 2.50-7.50
White Rice (1 lb) 1.46 $ 1.00-2.00
Eggs (12, Large Size) 5.20 $ 3.00-7.99
Local Cheese (1 lb) 10.33 $ 6.00-15.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 6.98 $ 4.99-14.00
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 10.38 $ 6.99-20.00
Apples (1 lb) 2.80 $ 2.00-4.00
Bananas (1 lb) 1.18 $ 0.50-3.00
Oranges (1 lb) 2.62 $ 1.49-4.00
Tomatoes (1 lb) 3.01 $ 2.00-4.99
Potatoes (1 lb) 1.94 $ 0.66-3.00
Onions (1 lb) 2.19 $ 0.89-5.00
Lettuce (1 Head) 2.75 $ 2.00-4.00
Bottled Water (50 oz) 2.82 $ 0.75-3.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 15.00 $ 9.99-20.00
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 2.31 $ 1.73-3.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 3.97 $ 2.00-5.99
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 11.50 $ 10.00-13.00
Transportation
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One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.50 $ 2.50-6.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 90.00 $ 90.00-180.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 3.50 $ 3.50-10.00
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) 3.00 $ 3.00-5.30
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 30.00 $ 30.00-65.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) 1.27 $ 1.15-1.32
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 36,753.89 $ 30,000.00-37,649.85
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) 26,265.41 $ 25,633.55-26,897.27
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 277.74 $ 190.61-450.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 50.00 $ 25.00-80.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 72.08 $ 50.00-105.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership 108.62 $ 30.00-350.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 26.00 $ 25.00-30.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 16.50 $ 15.00-22.00
Childcare
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Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 1,866.67 $ 1,500.00-2,400.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 39,800.00 $ 39,800.00-40,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
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Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 56.50 $ 30.00-98.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 46.00 $ 20.00-80.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 88.89 $ 50.00-135.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes 125.00 $ 80.00-200.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 2,950.00 $ 2,500.00-3,500.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 2,715.00 $ 2,000.00-3,200.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 4,737.50 $ 4,300.00-6,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 4,466.67 $ 4,000.00-6,500.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 970.56 $ 894.28-1,199.99
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 871.70 $ 799.99-1,107.99
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 5,869.33 $
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.37 6.00-6.80

Prices in San Jose, California

This city had 650 entries in the past 12 months by 85 different contributors.
Last update: 10 November 2025
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
  
  
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