Cost of Living in San Jose, CA, United States

RESTAURANTS

Eating out is expensive – more expensive than in most American cities.

Luckily, there are a few places that offer happy hours.

You can find all kinds of good cuisines and food places here.

Usually, people that are not well off do not eat in fancy restaurants, since a meal in an inexpensive restaurant here will cost you around 20$.

MARKETS

You have plenty of markets in San Jose that have different offers and prices.

Costco is great and you can save a lot. Walmart also has good prices.

Wholefoods, as expected, has prices that are through the roof, but it has the best vegetables and fish.

Your best bet is probably to head out to one of San Jose’s open farmer’s markets where you’ll find great deals for fresh produce.

TRANSPORTATION

The downtown area is compact and easy to get around on foot (to translate, it means saving a lot of money you would otherwise spend on transport).

A public transport day pass is valid on buses and light rail lines all day and costs 6$ for an adult, and 5$ for a child.

If you own a car, count in the parking fees and fuel fees for a car.

A lot depends on how far you need to drive every day.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

For utilities, water is not too expensive but gas/electricity and trash services can be a bit more expensive than you expect.

If you add cell phone and broadband wireless (which some consider to be utilities), then add that cost as well.

Still, all in all, utilities in Californian cities like San Jose aren’t too expensive.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Practicing sports or going to the gym in San Jose is rather expensive.

A gym or a fitness club membership will cost you around 83$.

There are always the free options of running, jogging, or biking in the perfect Californian sun.

It’s roughly 15$ to go to the movies, depending on which theater and time you choose.

CLOTHING & SHOES

San Jose offers many shopping opportunities, like independent boutiques in the downtown area as well as shopping malls scattered throughout the city.

If you’re set on shopping in San Jose, you should get familiar with the prices right away.

Quality jeans will cost you around 53$, and you won’t find any good running sneakers without cashing out close to 90$.

RENT PER MONTH

Rents are through the roof here.

With roommates, you are looking at 2000$ to 2300$ for a one-bedroom apartment.

Without roommates, you will have to pay at least 2500$ and you will have to compete hard for the privilege of paying that much.

You also have to be careful about neighborhoods.

You might find that a really cheap apartment comes with very dangerous neighborhood.