San Jose, California
Capital of Silicon Valley
U.S. News (2025)
#54 Best Places to Live
Forbes (2024)
#2 Best Cities for Tech Jobs
WhereAtHome Score
63
Dout of 100
Overview
San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area and heart of Silicon Valley. The city hosts headquarters for major tech companies and offers some of the highest incomes in America. Extremely high housing costs are the major challenge, but strong schools and suburban character attract families.
Key Highlights
- Heart of Silicon Valley
- Highest median household income in major metros
- Major tech company headquarters
- Strong public schools
- Year-round mild weather
- Diverse Asian-American communities
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Santa Clara County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
84°F
Winter Low
43°F
Annual Rainfall
15"
Sunny Days
257
Amenities & Infrastructure
189+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
8 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
5 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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