1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Jose, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose, California as of July 2026. That's +16% lower than the citywide median of $3,479 and +108% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in San Jose
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in San Jose
Compare San Jose's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than San Jose.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Hill, CA | 10.6 mi | $2,430 | $-478 (-16%) |
| Los Gatos, CA | 15.4 mi | $3,105 | +$197 (+7%) |
| Campbell, CA | 15.4 mi | $2,900 | $-8 (0%) |
| Milpitas, CA | 16.5 mi | $3,020 | +$112 (+4%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 18 mi | $3,160 | +$252 (+9%) |
| Aptos, CA | 19.3 mi | $3,600 | +$692 (+24%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 20 mi | $2,430 | $-478 (-16%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 20.8 mi | $2,780 | $-128 (-4%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 21.6 mi | $3,270 | +$362 (+12%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 22 mi | $3,438 | +$530 (+18%) |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 22.9 mi | $3,600 | +$692 (+24%) |
| Capitola, CA | 24 mi | $3,270 | +$362 (+12%) |
1-Bedroom rent in San Jose — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in San Jose, California is $2,908 per month. This is +16% below the citywide median of $3,479.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Jose?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $116,320 ($9,693/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Jose expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Jose's 1-bedroom median of $2,908 is +108% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Jose rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, San Jose ranks #334 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near San Jose?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Morgan Hill ($2,430), Campbell ($2,900), Gilroy ($2,430).