Living in San Jose (Silicon Valley): cost, climate, Chinese community & taxes

San Jose (Silicon Valley) at a glance for newcomers — every number is from an official source.

Metro area: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

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PriceyHigh rentExpensive homesIncomes go farBig Chinese communityHighly educatedHigh state income taxTech & engineering hubMild summersDry & sunnySmaller metroSmaller healthcare sector

💰 Money

Cost of living (US = 100): 110.4 (above average)
Median rent: $2,827/mo
Median home value: $1.53M
Median household income: $165k

🌤️ Climate

January average: 50.8°F 10°C
July average high: 80.8°F 27°C
Rain + snow (water) per year: 13.48 in
Days ≥ 90°F / ≤ 32°F: 16 / 3 days/yr

NOAA station: San Jose (USW00023293), 1991–2020

🥟 People & community

Population: 2.0M
Chinese / Taiwanese: 12.1% ~241k
Asian: 40.8%
Bachelor’s degree+ (adults): 56.3%
Computer / engineering / science jobs: 24.8%

🚇 Getting around

Commute by transit: 2.8%
Drive alone to work: 65.5%
Work from home: 14.6%
Average commute: 28 min

🧾 Taxes

State income tax (top rate): 13.3% CA
Sales tax (state + avg. local): 9.03%

✈️ Flights to China

Nonstop to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan from SFO, ~35 mi away

United · Air China · China Eastern · China Southern

💼 Compare job offers after tax →🏥 Chinese-speaking doctors, lawyers & schools →

Sources