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City Report · CA

San Jose

Pop. 990,138·85th most expensive in California·San Jose rents are up 11.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,479/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.3%
Month-over-Month
+1.9%
vs US Median
+$1,514
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Jose · $3,479
More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
34/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what San Jose's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$3,479/mo
Expected by trend
$3,219/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Jose's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,553
1 BR
$2,908
2 BR
$3,371
3 BR
$4,369
4 BR+
$4,772
Research median
$3,371/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$41,748/yr
At $3,479/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.3% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Jose, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 47.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
990,138
Median income
$146,427
Median age
38.2
Renters
44.2%
Age distribution
20.5%
24.7%
28.4%
14.5%
Under 1820.5%
18–3424.7%
35–5428.4%
55–6412%
65+14.5%
Gender
50.9%
49.1%
Male50.9%
Female49.1%
Race & ethnicity
25.1%
30.8%
39.5%
White25.1%
Black2.9%
Hispanic30.8%
Asian39.5%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
14.6%
16.1%
22.1%
47.3%
No HS diploma14.6%
HS diploma16.1%
Some college22.1%
Bachelor's+47.3%
Housing tenure
55.8%
44.2%
Owner55.8%
Renter44.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How San Jose, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,631 → $3,479
up 32.2%
Income
$125,075 → $146,427
up 17.1%
Population
1,013,337 → 990,138
down 2.3%
Renter share
43.8% → 44.2%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
45.4% → 47.3%
+1.9 pts
Median age
37.5 → 38.2
+0.7 yrs

Rent in San Jose, CA has increased 32.2% since 2021, going from about $2,631 per month to roughly $3,479 today. Median household income grew from $125,075 to $146,427 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.1% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 15.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 1,013,337 to 990,138 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. Taken together, the five-year picture in San Jose, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about San Jose

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View San Jose rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Jose on your salary?

At $3,479/mo, how San Jose rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Jose rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in San Jose. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Jose

About renting in San Jose, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Jose is $3,479/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,553/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,371/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,908/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,369/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($146,427/yr), San Jose ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Jose an affordable city for renters?

San Jose is considered affordable for renters. At $3,479/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($146,427/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Jose falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in San Jose?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $139,000/year (~$67/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,479/mo in San Jose. The local median household income is $146,427/yr, meaning the typical San Jose household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Jose?

Rent in San Jose has increased 11.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which San Jose neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Jose are 95117 ($2,872/mo), 95116 ($3,065/mo), and 95122 ($3,075/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Jose is $3,479/mo.

How does San Jose rent compare to other cities in California?

San Jose is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #85 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,479/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Jose?

Campbell is nearby and more affordable at $3,364/mo, which is $115 less than San Jose.

What percentage of San Jose residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.2% of San Jose households are renters, while 55.8% are owner-occupied. San Jose leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Jose rent compare to the national average?

San Jose's median rent of $3,479/mo is $1,514 (77%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #85 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,479/mo, rent takes ~29% of San Jose's median household income ($146,427/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Jose 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Jose affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Jose, CA

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