Living in San Jose, CA, is pretty much what one would expect from the largest city in Northern California: a sunny, healthy and energetic lifestyle in one of the greatest places to live in the U.S.
That’s largely because life in San Jose is particularly optimistic. The city enjoys a positive atmosphere reinforced by low depression rates and the lowest premature mortality rate in the region.
This well-being is supported by loads of green space, access to healthy foods and a strong healthcare system with the largest number of dietitians and nutritionists per capita in the whole country. The taste buds of San Joseans are equally happy, as the diverse culinary scene is as varied as the population, with cuisines that reflect the global influence of its residents.
The great technology hub of San Jose, known as the beating heart of Silicon Valley, also benefits greatly from its proximity to premier Napa Valley wineries. The diverse job market opportunities come with impressive salaries, which contribute to the city’s high happiness rankings despite the high cost of living in San Jose — nearly 50% more than the national average.
Weather in San Jose, CA
San Jose benefits from one of the best climates in the area. Its climate is Mediterranean, which means hot, dry summers and mild, slightly humid winters. Because it’s halfway between the coast and inland influence zones, San Jose doesn’t get as hot or as cold as some other Med-climate places. San Jose averages only 62 rainy days a year, most of which occur from November to March.
In summer, the weather in San Jose is ideal for spending time outdoors, and every afternoon, a cool sea breeze blows, which gives an even better feeling — it’s this gentle mix of sunshine and breezes that people living in San Jose love so much.
San Jose Housing Costs
A large part of the high cost of living in San Jose is due to the premium costs of both owning and renting a home here. The housing market is so competitive in San Jose, that many prospective buyers opt to waive contingencies to make their bids more attractive.
According to Census.gov, the median value of owner-occupied homes is nearly $1,150,000 — that’s almost double the California average and more than four times the national median.
Renting in San Jose is also a costly affair. The median gross monthly rent is slightly above $2,500, again far exceeding both the state and national averages. Current data from the first quarter of 2024 indicates that renters must earn around $60 per hour to comfortably afford a two-bedroom apartment in San Jose.
This high-income requirement makes it challenging for many residents, especially essential workers, to find affordable housing. In fact, only about 7% of families can afford a median-priced home here.
Note: For those moving to San Jose, downsizing is often the best option and this is made easier by renting extra space in a self-storage facility. This flexible storage space away from home can help alleviate the space constraints of smaller living units or assist during the home buying and moving processes.
Best Neighborhoods in San Jose
Whether raising a family, just starting out or simply enjoying being close to nature, San Joseans have these popular places on their list:
- Almaden Valley is a hit for those who appreciate a more relaxed lifestyle with a touch of luxury. It is a peaceful place with beautiful views of nature and chic places like golf clubs and shopping areas. Families love it here for the open spaces and great schools.
- Cambrian Park is friendly and welcoming, with parks and places for hiking and picnics. That’s a nice touch and quite a warm atmosphere given all the other benefits of urban living. Homes here are more affordable, which is ideal for families looking for a good deal.
- Downtown San Jose is full of energy and the top choice for young professionals or students who want to be where the action is. There’s always something to do, from historic locations to fun bars to live music. Plus, it’s easy to get around with public transport.
- Willow Glen offers plenty of charm with its beautiful old homes and friendly neighborhood atmosphere. The main street, Lincoln Avenue, is where everyone gathers to shop, eat and hang out.
San Jose Utilities
Before moving to San Jose, utilities can be set up online, but providers may vary depending on the neighborhood. Thankfully, the official city website has a handy online utility services lookup. All residents have to do is type in their street address, and they can find all they need to know about specific services, from water to waste collection.
For instance, San Jose has several water options. The San Jose Municipal Water System, San Jose Water Company and Great Oaks Water Company all provide drinking water, depending on the area. The city manages sewer services and promotes smart water use. For example, San Joseans are asked to water lawns early in the morning or late in the evening and fix leaks quickly — within 5 working days.
Trash collection in San Jose also depends on the neighborhood. For example, GreenTeam of San Jose handles it for West San Jose and all the city apartments and condos. For all other areas, recycling and garbage collection are divided between California Waste Solutions and Garden City Sanitation.
Keeping the streets clean is also organized by the city — GreenWaste Recovery takes care of street sweeping and collecting yard trimmings, helping keep the community tidy.
Note: The energy bill in San Jose is around $300 per month.
San Jose, CA Education
Education starts in early childhood with the San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD), one of the oldest in California, founded in 1853. It serves approximately 25,000 students in 41 schools and includes unique programs like a science-focused magnet school, a Montessori program, bilingual education and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
Founded just 10 years later, San Jose High is one of California’s oldest public high schools, preparing students for 21st-century careers with its STEM program.
One rung higher on the educational ladder, San Jose State University (SJSU) offers more than 250 areas of study, from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees, catering to over 36,000 students every year. This is a big plus for the development of Silicon Valley.
Note: 46% of San Jose residents aged 25 and above hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Medical Centers in San Jose
People living in San Jose, CA, or nearby have access to some of the best doctors and medical technology, whether they need regular check-ups, emergency care or special advanced treatments.
For starters, Stanford Health Care extends its top-notch medical services to San Jose through various specialty clinics and primary care offices. These are easy to locate on the SHC website, filtering by location, specialty and type of clinic.
Then, there’s Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Besides great health care, it is also an associated teaching hospital of Stanford University School of Medicine and thus teaches new doctors, keeping healthcare razor-sharp and up to date.
San Jose Economy and Employment
As one might expect of the core of Silicon Valley, San Jose has quite a hefty tech scene, housing over 2,500 high-tech companies, including significant players like Cisco and Western Digital.
Even with some recent dips in the information sector, overall employment remains buoyed by the demand for high-tech skills. And while technology still dominates, supported by a steady stream of graduates from nearby Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, education and health services are also growing fast, adding diversity to the job market.
Note: SJSU offers a Labor Market Insights tool that helps explore majors and careers, better understand employment trends and even determine earnings by job title or industry.
San Jose, CA Transportation
The mild climate and flat terrain of the city make it an excellent place for biking and walking in general. In fact, San Jose actively promotes cycling and walking through programs like Walk n’ Roll. The program mainly involves teaching children about the skills needed for biking and walking safely. Other activities include guided walking groups and designated “Walk n’ Roll” days. It helps set in motion a lifelong commitment to healthy transportation among young people.
Those looking for a convenient way to get around can also try the Bay Wheels bike-share system or the VTA bus and light rail routes throughout Santa Clara County.
Wondering about the personal car situation? As the 12th largest city in the U.S., its traffic ranking of 40 is pretty good. Those fond of lower carbon emissions or looking to save time and gas money may look into working one day per week from home, preferably on Tuesday which has the worst rush hour. For a 6-mile commute in San Jose, this can save up to 23 hours every year that would otherwise be spent in traffic and over $80 on gas.
San Jose Crime
Once considered the safest big city in the country, San Jose lost its No.1 spot back in 2017, and that was largely because of a spike in property crimes — car thefts, to be more precise. Nowadays, vehicle theft is still more than double the national value per 100,000 people, and so are reported rapes and robberies.
This doesn’t mean that San Jose is a particularly dangerous place. It is still ranked among the top 10 safest large cities in the U.S. Now, like any urban area, crime rates can vary by neighborhood, and some of the safest places to be in San Jose are in the south: Almaden, Silver Creek and Evergreen. Caution is advised in the Northwest part of the city, especially around San Jose Mineta International Airport.
Note: San Jose can take pride in its low murder rate—about 40% lower than the national average and 35% lower than California’s.
Attractions Near San Jose, CA
San Jose is Silicon Valley’s urban playground — tech to the core but with a flare that pretty distinctly meets culture and history. The bizarre architectural wonder that is the Winchester Mystery House, with endless mazes and stories in its past, will leave visitors speechless. Or take a stroll through the Arch of Dignity, Equality and Justice—a tribute to labor leader Cesar Chavez on the SJSU campus.
The SAP Center is the beating heart of excitement for sports fans and concert goers alike. San Joseans enjoy ice hockey with the Sharks, arena football with the Bay Area Panthers, blockbuster concerts and other events there. Not to be outdone, the San Jose Museum of Art offers a serene counterpoint of its own with its impressive collection of modern and contemporary works. Finally, continue on and discover the chic streets of Santana Row, there’s shopping and dining with a dash of upscale charm.
Storage Units in San Jose
While city life and the tech scene are exciting, people moving to San Jose, CA, are likely going to lack space in this really desirable area of Silicon Valley. For all the outdoor gear to take in the beautiful Californian terrain or simply overflow from living in a smaller space, a storage unit in San Jose might turn out to be the very best decision.
Thankfully, there are a variety of San Jose self-storage options tailored to meet different needs — from basic units that are perfect for boxes and outdoor furniture to climate-controlled spaces designed to protect sensitive items like electronics or valuable art.
When selecting a storage unit, consider factors such as location, security features, access hours and customer reviews. Prices can vary widely, so it’s important to assess correctly the area and volume needed for all the stored belongings.
It’s also worth checking if the facility offers discounts for long-term storage or flexible month-to-month leases — the latter can be particularly useful when in the midst of a transition and unsure of how long the extra space will be needed.
