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 $5,491.5, excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,512.8, excluding rent.
  • San Jose is 23.8% more expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in San Jose is, on average, 107.9% higher than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $24.50 15.00-30.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $95.00 75.00-150.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $12.00 10.00-13.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) $9.00 6.00-10.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $10.50 8.00-12.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) $5.78 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) $1.69 1.11-2.11
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) $4.34 2.50-7.50
White Rice (1 lb) $1.98 1.00-2.17
Eggs (12, Large Size) $5.63 2.50-7.99
Local Cheese (1 lb) $9.86 6.15-15.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $5.86 4.99-8.00
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) $10.12 7.83-16.00
Apples (1 lb) $2.63 1.50-3.50
Bananas (1 lb) $0.98 0.79-2.00
Oranges (1 lb) $2.24 1.50-3.99
Tomatoes (1 lb) $2.50 1.49-3.05
Potatoes (1 lb) $1.48 0.89-2.00
Onions (1 lb) $1.40 1.00-2.07
Lettuce (1 Head) $2.40 2.00-3.00
Bottled Water (50 oz) $2.60 2.34-3.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $15.30 9.99-20.00
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 2.50-2.50
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $90.00 90.00-204.00
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) $1.32 1.15-1.60
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $36,998.00 36,998.00-37,649.85
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) $267.20 190.61-450.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $52.03 25.00-75.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $73.43 60.00-110.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership $163.17 30.00-350.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $24.57 20.00-25.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) $17.50 11.50-22.00
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $1,822.00 1,150.00-2,400.00
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) $51.33 44.50-80.00
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 $3,163.08 2,800.00-3,500.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $2,746.00 2,210.00-3,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $4,787.50 4,500.00-6,800.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $4,290.00 3,780.00-6,300.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre $879.73 685.62-1,179.99
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) $5,808.61
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.28 6.00-7.10

Prices in San Jose, California

This city had 523 entries in the past 12 months by 54 different contributors.
Last update: 13 May 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.
  
  
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