San Jose, California

What's the cost of living in San Jose, CA?

The cost of living in San Jose is one of the highest in the nation. While spurring a hiring surge, the tech boom has also made much of the metro area unaffordable to those unable to pull in high-tech salaries. Housing prices here are much higher than they are in most other parts of the country, and residents often find themselves paying more for everyday necessities, such as groceries, utilities and gas, than the average American.

What's the best way to get around San Jose, CA?

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail and bus system takes passengers to most points of interest in San Jose proper, but due to the metro area's sprawl, some rides are lengthy and include multiple transfers. The Caltrain, which makes stops between San Jose and San Francisco, offers a public transportation option for some commuters living outside the city proper.

Additionally, many tech companies operate convenient shuttles to their campuses for employees, and bike infrastructure is continuing to grow. But in the end, San Joseans still rely heavily on cars. San Jose has some of the worst traffic congestion in the country.

The Mineta San Jose International Airport is located just outside central San Jose; however, the number of flight routes available is limited by the airport's size. For more options, residents rely on the San Francisco International Airport, which is about 30 minutes away. San Jose is also serviced by Amtrak and a number of commercial coach bus companies.

Who lives in San Jose, CA?

With nearly 2 million residents, San Jose is one of the largest metro areas in the U.S. and the largest in the Bay Area, having quietly surpassed San Francisco. In its evolution from Spanish pueblo to technology hub, San Jose has been influenced by a variety of cultures. Many of the area's neighborhoods have a rich Latino or Asian influence. Central/South American and Vietnamese enclaves are found throughout the metro area, as is a Japantown with 125 years of history.

Students and singles often prefer to live downtown, while families and older citizens are drawn to the tree-lined, stroller-filled streets of Willow Glen and suburban areas like Blossom Valley or Cambrian. However, given the already high cost of living in San Jose, homes in these neighborhoods are out of reach for many residents. 

More than half of the metro area's population does not identify as religious. Those who do tend to affiliate with Catholicism or other forms of Christianity.

What is there to do in San Jose, CA?

The San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose provides a gathering space for foodies who come to stock up on produce from local farms. For a different type of shopping, residents head to Santana Row in West San Jose, which has upscale shops and boutiques. Professional sports fans root for the Sharks (hockey) at the SAP Center ("the Shark Tank" to locals) and the Earthquakes (soccer) at Avaya Stadium. For football, San Joseans head to the state-of-the-art Levi's Stadium in neighboring Santa Clara, now home to the San Francisco 49ers.

Also, camping and hiking in Yosemite National Park, as well as skiing and watersports in Lake Tahoe, are just a few hours' drive away. For more relaxing escapes, Napa Valley wine country is less than two hours away by car, and the Santa Cruz beaches are a 45-minute drive. And for technology enthusiasts, The Tech Museum of Innovation offers hundreds of family-friendly interactive exhibits devoted to science and technology.