Cost of Living in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Is it worth moving here?
How far does a $70,000 salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara? Estimated income taxes on that gross salary total approximately $9,953 per year — combining federal taxes with California's state income tax. Subtract rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($3,483/month based on HUD Fair Market Rents for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area) and the estimated annual take-home is $18,251, or roughly $1,521 per month for everything else: food, transportation, savings, and discretionary spending.
The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro has a cost of living index of 213.0 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (national average = 100). At 113% above average, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is a noticeably expensive metro — groceries, services, and everyday purchases cost more than in most of the country.
At a $70,000 salary, the estimated 2-bedroom rent in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara represents approximately 60% of gross income. That is well above what most financial advisors recommend, indicating that San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is a financial stretch at a $70,000 salary without roommates or a higher-earning household.
Annual Breakdown
Cost of Living Index
Living in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is roughly 113% more expensive than the national average.
Monthly Take-Home
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Affordability Score
K-12 Schools
See Details →Colleges & Universities
See Details →| Institution | Enrollment | In-State Tuition | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | 18,446 | $61,731 | 93.0% |
| Santa Clara University | 9,340 | $58,587 | 88.0% |
| The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose | 231 | $0 | 87.0% |
| CET-San Jose | 175 | $0 | 79.0% |
| Institute for Business and Technology | 609 | $0 | 77.0% |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | 2,861 | $0 | 70.0% |
| De Anza College | 16,990 | $1,395 | 68.0% |
| San Jose State University | 36,062 | $5,742 | 65.0% |
| Foothill College | 12,931 | $1,395 | 60.0% |
| Carrington College-San Jose | 680 | $0 | 56.0% |
| Mission College | 6,669 | $1,380 | 53.0% |
| West Valley College | 7,272 | $1,380 | 52.0% |
| Gavilan College | 5,484 | $1,444 | 44.0% |
| Evergreen Valley College | 8,989 | $1,288 | 43.0% |
| University of Silicon Valley | 392 | $21,480 | 35.0% |
| Paul Mitchell the School-San Jose | 108 | $0 | 33.0% |
| San Jose City College | 8,400 | $1,288 | 32.0% |
| Palo Alto University | 1,223 | $17,714 | — |
| Sofia University | 1,037 | $18,000 | — |
| University of Silicon Andhra | 249 | $0 | — |
| University of East-West Medicine | 110 | $0 | — |