San Jose, CA
Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data
Avg Salary
$90,419
across all roles
Cost Index
148
Expensive
Avg Rent
$2,550/mo
1-bed apartment
Affordability
5/10
Low Affordability
How affordable is San Jose?
Low Affordability
Purchasing power score: 1.39× (take-home ÷ living costs)
With a cost of living index of 148 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,536/mo, San Jose is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
Cost of Living Benchmarks
Cost Index
148
US avg = 100
Est. Monthly Rent
$2,550
1-bed, city avg
Avg Disposable
$1,536
after taxes + living costs
Median Salary
$78,990
across all tracked roles
Purchasing Power
1.39×
take-home ÷ costs
Jobs Tracked
567
job titles with data
Highest-Paying Jobs in San Jose
By gross annual salary
- $231,740
- $228,580
- $226,940
- $225,730
- $221,480
- $220,680
- $218,920
- $218,460
- $215,600
- 10.Managers$215,120
Best Jobs for Disposable Income
After taxes and living costs
- $10,133/mo
- $9,940/mo
- $9,841/mo
- $9,767/mo
- $9,508/mo
- $9,460/mo
- $9,353/mo
- $9,325/mo
- $9,151/mo
- 10.Managers$9,122/mo
Jobs With Tightest Budgets in San Jose
These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.
Explore San Jose Further
All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.