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 5,509.1$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,522.7$, excluding rent.
  • San Jose is 11.5% less expensive than New York (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in San Jose is, on average, 30.5% lower than in New York.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 25.00 $ 16.00-50.00
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) 12.00 $ 11.00-14.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 9.00 $ 6.00-10.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 10.00 $ 8.00-12.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 5.67 $ 4.00-8.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 3.44 $ 3.00-5.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) 2.50 $ 2.00-4.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 1.64 $ 1.11-2.11
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 4.22 $ 2.50-7.50
White Rice (1 lb) 1.97 $ 1.00-2.17
Eggs (12, Large Size) 5.68 $ 2.50-7.99
Local Cheese (1 lb) 9.69 $ 6.15-15.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 5.59 $ 4.99-6.92
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 8.65 $ 7.83-15.99
Apples (1 lb) 2.72 $ 2.00-3.50
Bananas (1 lb) 0.98 $ 0.79-2.00
Oranges (1 lb) 2.36 $ 1.60-3.99
Tomatoes (1 lb) 2.58 $ 1.49-3.05
Potatoes (1 lb) 1.48 $ 0.89-2.00
Onions (1 lb) 1.48 $ 0.89-3.00
Lettuce (1 Head) 2.57 $ 2.00-3.00
Bottled Water (50 oz) 2.60 $ 2.34-3.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 15.00 $ 9.99-15.60
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 2.40 $ 0.71-3.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 3.43 $ 2.00-5.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 11.71 $ 10.40-11.71
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.50 $ 2.50-6.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 90.00 $ 90.00-90.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 3.50 $ 3.50-3.50
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) 4.83 $ 4.83-4.83
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 30.00 $ 30.00-30.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) 1.26 $ 1.15-1.40
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 36,998.00 $ 30,000.00-37,649.85
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) 25,963.92 $ 25,633.55-26,030.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 281.42 $ 200.00-450.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 54.82 $ 25.00-80.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 75.48 $ 60.00-110.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership 165.83 $ 30.00-350.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 24.57 $ 20.00-25.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 17.50 $ 12.00-22.00
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 1,849.38 $ 1,150.00-2,380.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 39,800.00 $ 39,800.00-40,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 59.81 $ 40.00-70.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 46.66 $ 44.50-70.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 100.40 $ 80.00-120.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes 119.91 $ 80.00-200.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 3,176.67 $ 2,800.00-4,000.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 2,751.11 $ 2,210.00-3,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 5,012.50 $ 4,500.00-6,800.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 4,316.36 $ 3,780.00-6,300.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 858.96 $ 685.62-1,179.99
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 905.49 $ 799.99-1,099.99
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 5,639.24 $
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.35 6.00-7.20

Prices in San Jose, California

This city had 478 entries in the past 12 months by 50 different contributors.
Last update: 7 April 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in San Jose? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for San Jose.
  
  
Leave a comment:

Your name: Sign In

Your email address (optional):

Your comment (no HTML):

0 Comments so far