49.4% above the United States average
Ranked #5 of 577 cities · More expensive than 99.1% of cities worldwide
Compared to United States average · See United States ranking โ
| Apartment | City Centre | Outside Centre | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom | USD 3,086/mo | USD 2,630/mo | 15% |
| 3-Bedroom | USD 4,788/mo | USD 4,109/mo | 14% |
Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.
San Jose has a cost of living index of 86.2 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 2 data sources.
ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.
San Jose is very expensive by global standards (ranked #5 of 577 cities). It is 49.4% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities.
Groceries are expensive and dining out is expensive. The best value is restaurants and the priciest is rent.
Local purchasing power is strong: residents can afford more goods and services than in most cities.
Add your current city and salary to compare your take-home pay and living costs with San Jose.
Compare your salary in San Jose →Relocation Toolkit
Trusted services for your move
Health insurance for living abroad
Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing: medical cover designed for people working and living outside their home country. Flexible monthly subscription, cancel any time.
Get covered with SafetyWing
Secure your connection in your new city
NordVPN keeps your data safe on public Wi-Fi, lets you access content from home, and is a must-have for remote workers abroad.
Get NordVPN
We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.