ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 95131

Part of San Jose, CA

Pop. 31,179·Santa Clara County·143rd most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$3,693/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.9%

Month-over-Month

+1.4%

vs US Median

+$1,761

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 95131 · $3,693

More expensive than 96% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,870

1 BR

$3,270

2 BR

$3,820

3 BR

$5,050

4 BR+

$5,490

Research median

$3,820/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

Cheapest month to sign

January. Asking rents in ZIP 95131 usually run 1.1% below trend in January and 1% above it in July, about $78 a month apart at today's median. Based on 7 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 95131 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2019.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 95131 changed +7.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 95131 is 24.6% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 10 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($170,255) is $4,256 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,820); a 3-bedroom is $5,050.

Rank in San Jose

15th cheapest of 25 ZIP codes in San Jose.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 95112, 3 miles away, rents for 12% less ($3,236/mo), about $5,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 95131. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$44,316/yr

At $3,693/mo median

Location

CitySan Jose

StateCA

CountySanta Clara County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.9% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 95131 (San Jose, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 55.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

31,179

Median income

$170,255

Median age

37.7

Renters

38.2%

Age distribution

17.7%

26.9%

29.9%

15.2%

Under 1817.7%

18–3426.9%

35–5429.9%

55–6410.3%

65+15.2%

Gender

53.1%

46.9%

Male53.1%

Female46.9%

Race & ethnicity

15.9%

69.3%

White11.5%

Black1.6%

Hispanic15.9%

Asian69.3%

Other1.6%

Education (25+)

14.5%

19.1%

55.2%

No HS diploma11.2%

HS diploma14.5%

Some college19.1%

Bachelor's+55.2%

Housing tenure

61.8%

38.2%

Owner61.8%

Renter38.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 95131 in San Jose, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,829 → $3,693

up 30.5%

Income

$151,389 → $170,255

up 12.5%

Population

31,566 → 31,179

down 1.2%

Renter share

37.5% → 38.2%

+0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

57.2% → 55.2%

-2.0 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 95131 in San Jose, CA has climbed from $2,829 to $3,693, a 30.5% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $170,255 today, compared with $151,389 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 31,566 residents to roughly 31,179. College-educated residents now make up 55.2% of adults here, versus 57.2% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 95131

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 95131 covers San Jose, CA. The median rent here is $3,693/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,270/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,820/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($170,255/yr), ZIP 95131 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 95131?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $148,000/year (about $71/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,693/mo in ZIP 95131. The local median household income is $170,255/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 95131?

Rent in ZIP 95131 has risen 7.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2019.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 95131?

Asking rents in ZIP 95131 are usually lowest in January, about 1.1% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $78 a month. This pattern comes from 7 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 95131 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 95131 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #143 of 898 at $3,693/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 95131 changed +7.9%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.