How expensive is San Jose compared to the rest of United States?

San Jose ranks #5 out of 577 cities globally. It is 49.4% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities. The rent index is 67.1 and local purchasing power is 149.6.

What is the average rent in San Jose?

A 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose city centre costs approximately USD 3,086 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 2,630 (saving 15%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 4,788.

Is San Jose affordable to live in?

San Jose is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are expensive, and local purchasing power is average.

🇺🇸 CA, United States · 2026

Custo de Vida em San Jose

49.4% acima da média de United States

Classificada em #5 de 577 cidades · Mais cara do que 99.1% das cidades mundialmente

+49.4%

Custo de Vida

+62.5%

Renda

+11.9%

Supermercado

+3.7%

Poder de Compra

Comparado com a média de United States · Ver ranking de United States →

Preços de Renda em San Jose

Apartamento	Centro da Cidade	Fora do Centro	Poupa
1 Quarto	USD 3,086/mo	USD 2,630/mo	15%
3 Quartos	USD 4,788/mo	USD 4,109/mo	14%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in San Jose

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	$4.98	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	$4.05	2 sources
Bread (500g)	$3.63	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	$18.68	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	$12.17	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	$11.36	2 sources
Eggs (12)	$6.81	2 sources
Milk (1L)	$1.55	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	$2.94	2 sources
Tomatoes (1kg)	$4.28	2 sources
Water (1.5L)	$2.60	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	$24.00	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

$4.98

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

$4.05

Bread (500g)

$3.63

Local cheese (1kg)

$18.68

Chicken (1kg)

$12.17

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

$11.36

Eggs (12)

$6.81

Milk (1L)

$1.55

Potatoes (1kg)

$2.94

Tomatoes (1kg)

$4.28

Water (1.5L)

$2.60

Wine (mid-range)

$24.00

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	$8.50	2 sources
Cappuccino	$5.83	2 sources
McMeal	$13.00	2 sources
Cheap meal	$28.50	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	$121.00	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

$8.50

Cappuccino

$5.83

McMeal

$13.00

Cheap meal

$28.50

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

$121.00

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	$147.46	2 sources
Jeans (Levi's 501)	$57.03	2 sources
Sport shoes (Nike)	$106.93	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	$46.33	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

$147.46

Jeans (Levi's 501)

$57.03

Sport shoes (Nike)

$106.93

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

$46.33

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	$17.50	2 sources
Gym membership	$105.42	2 sources

Cinema ticket

$17.50

Gym membership

$105.42

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	$1.32	2 sources
Taxi start	$3.50	1 source
Monthly pass	$92.00	2 sources

Gasoline (1L)

$1.32

Taxi start

$3.50

Monthly pass

$92.00

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	$265.71	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

$265.71

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

San Jose has a cost of living index of 86.2 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 2 data sources.

86.2

Index

Sources

15.6

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

78.4

Expatistan

No data

LivingCost

94.0

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Índices de Custo

Custo de Vida

+49.4% Very expensive

Renda

+62.5% Very expensive

Supermercado

+11.9% Expensive

Restaurantes

+9.8% Expensive

Poder de Compra

+3.7% Average

Viver em San Jose: O Que Esperar

San Jose é very expensive pelos padrões globais (classificada #5 de 577 cidades). Está 49.4% mais caro que a média de United States, com base em 82 cidades.

Os mantimentos são expensive, enquanto comer fora é expensive. Restaurants oferece o melhor custo-benefício, enquanto Rent é o mais caro.

O poder de compra local é forte: os residentes podem pagar mais bens e serviços do que na maioria das cidades.