ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 95121

Part of San Jose, CA

Pop. 36,463·Santa Clara County·191st most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$3,467/mo

Year-over-Year

+19.2%

Month-over-Month

+1.0%

vs US Median

+$1,535

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 95121 · $3,467

More expensive than 95% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,690

1 BR

$3,070

2 BR

$3,580

3 BR

$4,730

4 BR+

$5,150

Research median

$3,580/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 95121 changed +19.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($150,605) is $3,765 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,580); a 3-bedroom is $4,730.

Rank in San Jose

9th cheapest of 25 ZIP codes in San Jose.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 95116, 4 miles away, rents for 16% less ($2,929/mo), about $6,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 95121. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$41,604/yr

At $3,467/mo median

Location

CitySan Jose

StateCA

CountySanta Clara County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 19.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+19.2% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 95121 (San Jose, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 34.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

36,463

Median income

$150,605

Median age

42.8

Renters

22.2%

Age distribution

17.5%

21.3%

28.5%

14.1%

18.7%

Under 1817.5%

18–3421.3%

35–5428.5%

55–6414.1%

65+18.7%

Gender

51.8%

48.2%

Male51.8%

Female48.2%

Race & ethnicity

25%

61.4%

White9.7%

Black2.3%

Hispanic25%

Asian61.4%

Other1.6%

Education (25+)

21.3%

18.6%

25.6%

34.5%

No HS diploma21.3%

HS diploma18.6%

Some college25.6%

Bachelor's+34.5%

Housing tenure

77.8%

22.2%

Owner77.8%

Renter22.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 95121 in San Jose, CA has changed in 5 years

Income

$117,991 → $150,605

up 27.6%

Population

37,663 → 36,463

down 3.2%

Renter share

25.7% → 22.2%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

33.8% → 34.5%

+0.7 pts

Median age

41.2 → 42.8

+1.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 95121 in San Jose, CA now reports about $150,605, up from $117,991 in 2021. The population has contracted by 3.2% since 2021, moving from about 37,663 residents to roughly 36,463. Renters now make up 22.2% of households, compared with 25.7% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 95121

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 95121 covers San Jose, CA. The median rent here is $3,467/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,070/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,580/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($150,605/yr), ZIP 95121 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 19.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 95121?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $139,000/year (about $67/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,467/mo in ZIP 95121. The local median household income is $150,605/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 95121?

Rent in ZIP 95121 has risen 19.2% over the past year.

How does ZIP 95121 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 95121 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #191 of 898 at $3,467/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 95121 changed +19.2%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.