Counties › California

Cost of Living in Santa Clara County, CA

Population 1,902,047 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$2,857
Median home value$1,490,600
Median household income$164,281

The median rent in Santa Clara County, CA is $2,857/month, 40% higher than the California median and 102% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $1,490,600, 348% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $164,281 a year, 66% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 20.9%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $114,280/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 9.1×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $7,537/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Santa Clara County vs. California vs. U.S.

Santa Clara CountyCaliforniaU.S.
Median rent$2,857$2,036$1,413
Median home value$1,490,600$734,700$332,700
Median household income$164,281$99,122$80,734
Homeownership rate55.1%55.9%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher56.5%37.1%35.7%
Poverty rate7.1%12.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.9%6.6%5.2%
Work from home23.9%17.2%15.1%
Median age38.137.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Santa Clara County, CA?

The median gross rent in Santa Clara County, CA is $2,857 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Santa Clara County, CA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $114,280 a year in gross income.

Is Santa Clara County, CA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 102% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 9.1 times the median household income.

Other counties in California

Los Angeles County, CARent $1,954 · Income $90,112San Diego County, CARent $2,246 · Income $106,268Orange County, CARent $2,434 · Income $116,289Riverside County, CARent $1,901 · Income $93,074San Bernardino County, CARent $1,801 · Income $85,478Alameda County, CARent $2,357 · Income $129,367

Counties with a similar cost of living

Fairfax County, VARent $2,276 · Income $153,637Loudoun County, VARent $2,386 · Income $181,765Nassau County, NYRent $2,252 · Income $146,202Douglas County, CORent $2,193 · Income $149,594Arlington County, VARent $2,322 · Income $142,114Howard County, MDRent $2,099 · Income $149,763

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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