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Are you considering moving to San Jose, the Capital of Silicon Valley?

San Jose is home to thousands of tech companies, from startups to Fortune 500, making it home to one of the highest concentrations of tech businesses worldwide. The city’s large population and booming job market make it one of the most coveted places in California.

If you’re interested in tech or looking to launch a tech idea or work with a tech company, moving to San Jose is right for you.

San Jose’s remarkable weather, low crime rates, beautiful neighborhoods, and top-quality schools make it one of the most livable cities in America.

If you’re considering moving to San Jose and wondering if the city is right for you or not, we’ve collated key information about the city to make it easier for you to make the right decision.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before moving to San Jose, CA

  • On average, San Jose gets 257 sunny days per year
  • Most of San Jose’s population are millennials
  • San Jose averages zero inches of snow per year
  • San Jose has lower crime rates compared to similar-sized cities in the U.S.

What’s the population of San Jose?

San Jose’s population is 1,009340. The city spreads across 181 miles making it the third-largest city in California and the 10th largest in the country. Since you’re considering moving to San Jose, here’s a breakdown of the city’s population:

  • San Jose has a population density of 5,677 people per square mile
  • The median age in San Jose is 36.7 years
  • The median age is 35.7 years for males, and 37.9 years for females
  • San Jose is a city of millennials

How fast can you commute in San Jose?

San Jose’s average one-way commute time takes 29.4 minutes. The U.S. average is 26.4 minutes. Commuting time in San Jose isn’t as fast as the national average. That’s partly because more than 75% of the city’s residents drive their own car alone.

Since you’re considering moving to San Jose, check out how most people in the city commute to work daily:

  • About 11.7% of San Jose residents carpool with others
  • Up to 4.1% of San Jose residents work from home
  • Around 4.5% of San Jose residents take mass transit
  • Around 75.9% of San Jose residents drive their own car alone

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How is the weather like in San Jose?

San Jose averages 257 sunny days per year. the national average is 205 sunny days. You’d be excited to know that the Capital of Silicon Valley has great weather. Moving to San Diego means you’ll enjoy warm weather almost all year round.

The following is a breakdown of the city’s weather since you’re considering moving to San Diego:

  • San Jose averages 62 days of precipitation per year
  • San Jose’s July summer high is around 82 degrees
  • San Jose averages 17 inches of rain a year. The U.S. average is 38 inches
  • On average, San Jose gets zero inches of snow per year. The U.S. average is 28 inches
  • San Jose’s summer high in July is around 82 degrees
  • San Jose’s January winter low is around 42 degrees
move to San Jose

Top 10 Reasons to move to San Jose

San Jose is one of the most attractive cities in California for several reasons.

We asked many new residents why they decided moving to San Jose was right. So, we narrow down to 10 reasons why people are moving to San Jose, and here’s the list:

  • Amazing weather
  • San Jose is a big hub for technology
  • Remarkable outdoor fun and activities
  • The great tasty food scene
  • Booming job market
  • Great neighborhoods
  • Electrifying sports scene
  • Top-quality education facilities
  • San Jose is a pet-friendly city
  • San Jose is a cosmopolitan and multilingual city
pros and cons of San Jose

Pros & cons of moving to San Jose, CA

Is moving to San Jose right for you? Comparing the pros and cons of living in the city can make it easier for you to figure out if moving to San Jose is right for you or not.

We’ve made a list of the various pros and cons of living in the city to give you an idea of what to expect. Check out the list below:

The pros
  • San Jose has a beautiful weather
  • The city has a booming job market
  • San Jose is a foodie’s haven
  • There are lots of amazing things to do in San Jose
  • Low crime rate
  • San Jose is a cosmopolitan city and a melting pot of culture
  • San Jose is home to various top-quality schools
  • There are lots of recreational activities in San Jose
The cons
  • You’ll have to put up with terrible traffic in San Jose
  • San Jose’s costs of living are high
  • You may not appreciate the cityscape
  • You’ll have to pay 10 cents for every new grocery bag
  • San Jose doesn’t have a big downtown
  • You’ll have to put up with a busy fast-paced lifestyle
  • Homes are expensive in San Jose
  • There are too many buildings in San Jose

Best places to live in San Jose

San Jose is home to several beautiful and livable suburbs and neighborhoods. If you’re moving to San Jose, you’ll most likely be interested in the best places to live in the city.

We’ve made a list of the best suburbs to live in the Capital of Silicon Valley to make it easier for you to streamline your house-hunting efforts. Check out the list below:

Rank City Population Median Income
1 Los Altos, CA 30,504 $235,278
2 San Carlos, CA 30,154 $182,083
3 Los Altos Hills, CA 8,505 $250,001
4 Portola Valley, CA 4,592 $224,554
5 Monte Sereno, CA 3,479 $250,001
6 Atherton, CA 7,168 $250,001
7 Saratoga, CA 30,697 $191,677
8 Cupertino, CA 60,257 $171,917
9 Palo Alto, CA 66,573 $158,271
10 Woodside, CA 5,542 $250,001

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Cost of living in San Jose

San Jose’s cost of living is 181 The national average is 100.

That means the average cost of living in San Jose is higher than the national average.

San Jose costs of living compared to the rest of California

Here’s how the average costs of living in San Jose compares to the rest of California and the entire United States:

Living Expense San Jose California National Average
Overall 181 140 100
Services 130 111 100
Grocery 126 118 100
Health 127 113 100
Housing 303 196 100
Utilities 121 118 100
Transportation 137 128 100

How is the job market in San Jose?

San Jose has a robust job market. Despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on various job markets, the unemployment rate in San Jose is still lower than the national average.

Since you’re considering moving to San Jose, here’s a breakdown of the city’s job market:

  • San Jose’s unemployment rate is 5.6%. The U.S. average is 6.0%
  • So far, job growth in San Jose has been positive
  • The number of jobs in San Jose has increased by 2.5% over the past year
Employment Information San Jose, California United States
The income per Cap $40,275 $31,177
Household Income $96,662 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 5.6 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -7.07% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 38.89% 33.51%

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Top career options in San Jose

What are the highest-paying jobs in San Jose? The Capital of Silicon Valley boasts of several high-paying professions. If you’re moving to San Jose and interested in getting some of the highest-paying jobs in the city, we’ve made a list here.

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 Psychiatrists $261,640 $102,680 200
2 Chief Executives $259,970 $138,740 2,200
3 Computer and Information Systems Managers $235,040 $143,930 16,530
4 Lawyers $231,610 $110,230 5,380
5 Family Medicine Physicians $228,450 $66,480 500
6 Architectural and Engineering Managers $226,920 $145,580 7,510
7 Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric $221,240 $69,340 2,590
8 Marketing Managers $211,210 $115,860 7,340
9 Sales Managers $207,070 $87,300 8,730
10 Natural Sciences Managers $205,120 $117,630 810

What’s the median salary in San Jose?

If you’re interested in getting a job after moving to San Jose, you’ll most likely be interested in the city’s average pay. We’ve collated key stats here to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to San Jose. Check them out below:

  • San Jose’s average annual pay for the average job is $69,527
  • San Jose’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $33.43 an hour
  • San Jose’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $1,337 per week
  • San Jose’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $5,794 per month
  • California’s minimum wage is $13/$14 per hour

Major industries in San Jose

Similar to several other large cities across the country, San Jose is home to various leading industries. Moving to San Jose means you’ll get the chance to be a part of any of the city’s largest industries. Here’s a list of the major industries in San Jose:

  • Manufacturing
  • Professional
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Education
  • Construction
  • Administrative
  • Information
  • Finance & Insurance
  • Transportation
  • Government

San Jose’s housing market info

If you’re interested in buying a home before moving to San Jose, we’ve collated key stats about the city’s housing market. Check out the stats below:

  • San Jose’s median home cost is $1,249,900
  • Over the past 10 years, the city’s home costs have risen by 151.0%
  • Presently, home appreciation in San Jose is up by 18.8%
  • About 58% of San Jose residents are homeowners
  • Up to 1.4% of homes and apartments in San Jose are open to rent

What’s the average cost of renting a home in San Jose?

If you’re considering renting a home or an apartment before moving to San Jose, this section contains information about average home rental prices in the city. You’ll find all kinds of homes available to rent in the Capital of Silicon Valley. The following are the average costs of renting homes and apartments in San Jose:

  • The average cost of a studio apartment in San Jose, CA is $1,942
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in San Jose, CA is $2,189
  • The average cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in San Jose, CA is $2,597
  • The average cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in San Jose, CA is $3,338
  • The average cost of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in San Jose, CA is $3,815
Statistic San Jose California United States
Median Home Value $864,600 $505,000 $217,500
Median Rent $2,107 $1,503 $1,062
Median Income $109,593 $75,235 $62,843
Home Value To Income 7.9x 6.7x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.23x 0.24x 0.2x

San Jose California taxes

If you’re moving to San Jose, you’ll be paying the same taxes like the rest of California.

We’ve highlighted California’s key taxes to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to San Jose from out of state:

  • California’s income tax is 1% - 13.3%
  • Sales tax in California is 7.25% - 10.50%
  • California’s property tax is 0.73% average effective rate
  • California’s Gas tax is 50.50 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
  • Per gallon of diesel, the gas tax is 38.50 cents

Best things to do in San Jose

San Jose is a lively city and there are lots of exciting things you can do and amazing places to visit to have fun.

If you’re moving to San Jose, you can add the following things to your bucket list of exciting things you’d like to do and see in the city:

  • Enjoy a Night of Laughs at San Jose Improv
  • Eat to Your Heart’s Content at the San Jose Farmers Market
  • Shop ’til You Drop at Westfield Valley Fair
  • Have a Night of Opera at the California Theatre
  • Grab Dinner in Japantown
  • Slip Down a Water Slide at Raging Waters
  • Enjoy a Day Around Willow Glen
  • Peruse the Unique Finds at the San Jose Flea Market
  • Walk Along the Los Gatos Creek Trail or the Guadalupe River Trail
  • Catch a Flick at the West Wind Capitol Drive-In
  • Visit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
  • Get Spooked at the Winchester Mystery House
  • Do a Self-Guided Tour of San Jose Craft Beer
  • Cheer on One of the Local Sports Teams
  • People Watch at Plaza de Cesar Chavez

How safe is San Jose?

Is San Jose a safe city for you and your family? Unlike several other large cities across the country, crime rates in San Jose are lower. To make it easier for you to compare crime San Jose crime rates to wherever you are right now, we’ve collated key stats about the city’s crime rates.

  • The violent crime rate in San Jose is rated 25.0. The national average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in San Jose is 36.5. The national average is 35.4
  • Residents have a 1 in 228.1 chance of being the victim of violent crime in the city
  • Residents have a 1 in 41.3 chance of being the victim of a property crime in the city
  • San Jose has a lower crime rate compared to similar large-size cities across the country

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Comparing San Jose’s crime rates to California and the U.S.

Statistic Count Raw San Jose/ 100k People California/ 100k People National/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 29,723 2,858.0 2,772.4 2,476.7
Murder 32 3.1 4.3 5.0
Robbery 1,339 128.7 132.4 81.6
Aggravated Assault 2,517 242.0 267.1 250.2
Violent Crime 4,559 438.4 441.2 366.7
Burglary 4,114 395.6 386.1 340.5
Larceny 14,924 1,435.0 1,586.3 1,549.5
Car Theft 6,126 589.0 358.8 219.9
Property Crime 25,164 2,419.6 2,331.2 2,109.9

Best Schools & Universities in San Jose, CA

San Jose is home to several top-quality universities, colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools.

Moving to San Jose ensures easier access to any of these schools. We’ve curated a list of the best schools and universities in the city to give you a head start if you’re moving to San Jose. Check out the list below:

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