San Jose, CA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in San Jose, CA: What You Need to Know

San Jose, home to more than 2,500 high-tech companies, is known as the Capital of Silicon Valley. It’s California’s third-largest city, behind Los Angeles and San Diego. 

Job Opportunities

San Jose (population: 1,021,795) is the seat of Santa Clara County and the anchor of Silicon Valley, which includes five other counties in Northern California. Silicon Valley generates an annual GDP of $275 billion. It has more Fortune 500 companies than any other region in the U.S. except New York. PayPal, Cisco Systems, eBay, Adobe Systems, Brocade, Acer, and Samsung’s U.S. headquarters are based in San Jose. 

Schools and Higher Education

Stanford University (17,381 students), one of the world’s best research and teaching institutions, is located in nearby Palo Alto. Railroad magnate and former California Gov. Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, founded the private university in 1891. Stanford boasts of 32 faculty members who have won the Nobel Prize since its founding. In all, there are 26 universities within 50 miles of the city. San Jose’s 235 public schools are among California’s finest, with an average math proficiency score of 48% versus the state average of 38%, and a reading proficiency score of 57% versus the 50% state average.

Cost of Living

San Jose is notoriously expensive, with a cost of living rate that’s 68.1% higher than the national average. Food and housing aren’t any cheaper at 3.7% and 53% higher than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in San Jose is $1,023. The Golden State levies 1% to 13.3% in income tax, one of the highest rates in the country. It collects 7.25% to 10.50% in sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown is walkable, bike-friendly, and conveniently close to many companies, but it’s also pricey. The neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Blossom Valley in southern San Jose offer relatively affordable housing. For most professionals, commuting is the most viable way. Monte Sereno and University South in Palo Alto are a short drive from San Jose, and they’re known for their safety and outstanding public schools. The vast majority of residents in University South rent.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Residents get around largely by private cars and bikes. As an alternative, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses and light rail can take passengers to most destinations within the city. Google, Apple, Facebook, and other Silicon Valley companies provide shuttle buses for their employees. San Jose has its own airport, and it’s also serviced by the San Francisco and Oakland international airports. Caltrain, a commuter rail line serving the San Francisco Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley, makes stops between San Francisco and San Jose.