Loading...San Jose Real Estate For Sale In CA
San Jose is a diverse, innovative, and bustling metropolis in Northern California between the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range. Widely known for being the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is also one of the most competitive California real estate markets. Take a look at our listings to see whether real estate in San Jose, CA is right for you.
More About San Jose, CA Real Estate
With over 1M residents, sprawling San Jose is the third-largest city in California and the tenth-largest in the nation. It is also the largest city and the seat of Santa Clara County, the most affluent county in the state. It lies in the Santa Clara Valley along Coyote Creek and the Guadalupe River in the Bay Area, about 50 miles southeast of San Francisco.
Founded as Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe in 1777, San Jose served as the first capital when California became a state in 1850. Today, San Jose has a distinct, vibrant personality with a unique blend of old and new, making it a truly fascinating place to live in the U.S. West Coast.
San Jose combines rich Spanish colonial history with its location in Silicon Valley's core (which makes it one of the most progressive and forward-thinking cities in the world) and a diverse, well-educated population. It is home to some of the world's leading technology companies and has a thriving arts and culture scene.
The tech-savvy culture and diverse activities and attractions make San Jose real estate a desirable investment in California, particularly for geeky young professionals and families. The city provides high living standards, top-notch educational options, gorgeous mature neighborhoods and suburbs, and high-valued real estate, from sophisticated high-rise condominiums to charming single-family homes.
San Jose Nearby Cities
San Jose, CA Real Estate Market
The San Jose real estate market is considered costly. The lack of houses for sale in San Jose is pushing prices up and creating a fast-moving, aggressive environment where homes are being snapped up as soon as they hit the market, often for well above the asking price. That puts a strain on some would-be buyers who find it challenging to get into the market.
According to recent local government reports, the San Jose metro's affordability is far less than half the national average. The median sale price for a single-family home in San Jose is $1.7M, a 21% year-over-year increase. San Jose houses sell after only eight days on the market rather than 11 last year.
The high prices of San Jose real estate testify to the fact that the city, like the rest of the Bay Area, is a great place to live. It is also important to note that, while San Jose for being a high-valued market, it is still one of the most cost-effective areas of Silicon Valley.
The current inventory of real estate in San Jose includes mainly single-family detached homes but also townhomes for sale and condominiums. Most of the homes for sale in San Jose have three or four bedrooms and desirable features like backyards and pools. While it is typical to find Ranch-style real estate for sale in San Jose, Spanish-style and Victorian-style homes are also design standards, as well as some great examples of Mid-century modern houses.
Suburbs such as Los Gatos, Willow Glen, and Palo Alto have a strong presence of detached, spacious, moving-ready family homes, while condos for sale in San Jose are more frequently found in the downtown area and its surrounding urban neighborhoods like Fruitdale, Communication Hills, and Evergreen. The most popular units are on low-rise or mid-rise buildings or complexes and commonly have one or two bedrooms.
San Jose CA Neighborhoods
Los Gatos
Los Gatos is a mountainside town located 10 miles southwest of San Jose's core, a community that many San Jose employees choose to escape Silicon Valley's urban atmosphere. Los Gatos provides plenty of outdoor opportunities in three county parks, several trail-filled preserves, and open green spaces, as well as numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops. The top-rated schools are also a major draw for relocators. The real estate in Los Gatos starts at $1.1M and climbs to the multi-million dollar range depending on property features and location.
Japantown
This eclectic and traditional urban San Jose neighborhood is home to a wealth of unique stores, museums, traditional shops, art galleries, and authentic Japanese restaurants. Japantown is small and has a strong sense of community. The neighborhood, located just minutes north of downtown San Jose real estate, is close to good schools and has a farmers' market, barbershops, local theaters, and mostly family-owned businesses the community takes pride in supporting. It provides homebuyers with various housing options at reasonable costs, making it welcoming to young professionals and small families.
Silver Creek
Silver Creek is one of the best areas to raise a family in South San Jose, home to two golf courses, high-end amenities, and top-performing schools. This bedroom community is just minutes from downtown and offers luxurious single-detached homes on leafy cul-de-sacs or backing to the greens of the local golf clubs. Amenities in Silver Creek include off-leash dog areas, dozens of local or nearby parks, walking and biking trails, and adjacent retail and commercial areas—prices for the homes for sale in Silver Creek range between $1.1M and $7.2M.
Schools in San Jose CA
San Jose real estate owners have a wealth of educational opportunities within reach thanks to California's open enrollment and the 25 different school districts scattered around Santa Clara County. The Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District and Palo Alto Unified School District, Niche's #1 and #2 best school districts in California are among them.
For local public schools, the San Jose Unified School District has above-average elementary, middle, and high schools. Two well-regarded options are Lynbrook High School and Evergreen Valley High School. Students can also access private, charter, international, and special education. Higher education near San Jose real estate includes 12 institutions ranging from 4-year public universities to community colleges and private career schools providing less-than-two-year degrees. Here's a brief list of some of the best schools in San Jose:
Public Schools In San Jose, CA
Elementary & Middle
- Cornerstone Academy Preparatory School
- Northwood Elementary School
- University Preparatory Academy Charter
High Schools
- Lynbrook High School
- Evergreen Valley High School
- Piedmont Hills High School
Private Schools In San Jose, CA
- Challenger School - Berryessa
- Bellarmine College Preparatory
- Los Gatos Christian School
- BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
Colleges & Universities
- San Jose State University
- Stanford University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Santa Clara University
- California Science and Technology University
Frequently Asked Questions About San Jose, CA Real Estate
What Is The Best Area To Live In San Jose, California?
- Best areas for young professionals: North San Jose, Campbell, Downtown SJ.
- Best areas for families: Los Gatos, West San Jose, Willow Glen.
- Best areas for outdoor lovers: Evergreen, Alviso, Milpitas, Almaden Valley.
- Best areas for luxury real estate: Silver Creek.
What is the zip code for San Jose, California?
There are approximately 40 different zip codes for San Jose real estate. Here are some popular ones among homebuyers:
San Jose, CA
95110 | 95111 | 95112 | 95113 | 95116 95117 | 95118 | 95119 | 95120 | 95121 95122 | 95123 | 95124 | 95125 | 95126 95127 | 95128 | 95129 | 95130 | 95131
Top San Jose Suburbs
- 94089 | Sunnyvale, CA
- 95008 | Campbell, CA
- 95014 | Cupertino, CA
- 95032 | Los Gatos, CA
- 95035 | Milpitas, CA
- 95037 | Morgan Hill, CA
- 95050 | Santa Clara, CA
- 95070 | Saratoga, CA
Where is the nearest commercial airport in San Jose, California?
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is close to most San Jose real estate. The airport is only four miles from the city’s downtown, a short eight-minute drive.
What county is San Jose in?
San Jose, California is the seat of Santa Clara County.
How far is San Francisco from San Jose, California?
San Jose, CA real estate is around 48 miles from San Francisco, CA heading north, a 59-minute drive.
What’s The Weather Like In San Jose, California?
San Jose, CA real estate residents enjoy moderate year-round temperatures as the climate is semiarid Mediterranean subtropical. The coldest month in San Jose is January, with average temperatures of 60° F and 42° F. The warmest months are July and August, with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the high-50s. San Jose has an average of 301 days of sunshine per year and roughly 16 inches of rain annually. The rainy season goes from November to April.
Does San Jose Have Natural Disasters?
California wildfires are the most significant natural disaster threat in San Jose, as well as earthquakes. The San Andreas Fault and the Calaveras Fault both run through San Jose. Given the frequency (and potential severity) of these natural disasters, residents of San Jose real estate need to be prepared. This means having an emergency kit and knowing how to safely evacuate if necessary.
Things To Do In San Jose CA
- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a tiny 16-acre zoo and kid-friendly amusement park minutes southeast of Downtown San Jose. Dedicated to connecting people to nature, visitors can see several species of animals, kiddie rides, a large playground, and much more for a fun-filled day or an educational experience.
- Alum Rock Park: Alum Rock Park is one of the oldest municipal parks in the state of California. The 720-acre park is located in a valley in the Diablo Range foothills, just east of downtown San Jose. The park also features a number of picnic areas, playgrounds, a small museum, lawns, sand volleyball, and abundant greenery.
- Winchester Mystery House: The Winchester Mystery House is a Victorian mansion in San Jose, once the home of Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester. After her husband's death, Sarah became convinced that she was cursed by the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles, and she began a massive construction project to ward off the spirits. The resulting house is a labyrinthine structure with 161 rooms, 10,000 windows, 40 bedrooms, 17 chimneys, and miles of secret passageways.
- San Jose Museum of Art: This world-renowned art museum is located near downtown San Jose real estate and features an extensive permanent collection of over 2,500 paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from around the world. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts a variety of changing exhibitions throughout the year.
- Municipal Rose Garden: A must-see for any gardener or rose enthusiast, this 5.5-acre world-renowned garden is home to over 3,500 plantings of 189 different varieties of roses. The garden is open to the public year-round, and there are also rose shows and other events held throughout the year. Whether you're looking for a breathtaking place to take a stroll or have a picnic, this location is sure to impress.
- The Tech Interactive: Formerly Tech Museum of Innovation, this is a science and technology museum located near downtown San Jose real estate. It houses a number of interactive exhibits, design challenges, and labs, including space exploration, social robots, reboots reality, a biodesign studio and much more. In addition to its hands-on exhibits, the museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events.
- Kelley Park: Kelley Park is a 156-acre park where visitors can stroll through beautiful gardens to view the rich flora and fauna or take a leisurely hike through the park's many trails. Kelley Park is also home to a number of locations and landmarks, including the Japanese Friendship Garden, History Park, and Kelley Park Disc Golf Course.
- SAP Center: SAP Center at San Jose, originally San Jose Arena (or “The Shark Tank”) is an American indoor arena home of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). SAP Center has been ranked as one of the busiest arenas in the United States.
- San Pedro Square Market: A historic food hall in the heart of downtown San Jose, San Pedro Square Market offers a unique dining experience with a variety of local food vendors, craft beer, wine, and unique cocktails. The market also features a stage for live music and other events such as book signings, film projections, stand-up comedy, and watching sports.
Living In San Jose CA
San Jose is a tolerant, diverse, entrepreneurial, and active city in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you're considering purchasing San Jose, CA real estate, keep these things in mind:
Living Costs in San Jose, California
Notable for its affluent lifestyle and the presence of Silicon Valley, San Jose is an expensive place to live. The cost of living in this California city is 53% higher than the national average. San Jose real estate is higher than the national average, and utilities, groceries, and transportation are 24%, 21%, and 6% lower than the national average. Although living expenses are relatively high, many people in this city earn six-figure salaries.
Healthcare in San Jose, California
San Jose is at the forefront of medical care with world-class hospitals and research facilities. The city is home to Stanford Health Care, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, and Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a nationally recognized teaching hospital. In addition, San Jose is home to several smaller community hospitals and clinics that provide high-quality care.
City Highlights in San Jose, California
Is San Jose, California, a good place to live? Here are some of the perks of living here, according to its residents:
- San Jose has expensive housing, but some areas are still more affordable than real estate in Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, or Cupertino.
- Buying San Jose real estate means living in mature neighborhoods or suburbs. It also means having a perfect balance between residential and commercial areas and a peaceful environment.
- San Jose provides an excellent career scope.
- San Jose is within easy driving distance from almost anything you'd want to see in Northern California: amazing beaches, redwoods, the wine country, the snow country, Lake Tahoe, the bay, San Francisco, Berkeley…
Jobs in San Jose, California
The San Jose economy is one the fastest-growing in the U.S., and technology is a significant contributor. In 2017, the region's GDP rose 7.6%, reaching $275 billion in revenues. Aside from technology, the local economy is driven by finance, manufacturing, education, and trade.
Known as the "Capital of Silicon Valley," real estate in San Jose is located near a large number of high-tech engineering, microprocessor, and computer companies (over 2,500 high-tech companies creating around 90,000 jobs), including global firms like Netflix, Adobe, Cisco, PayPal, eBay, TiVo, and Oracle. In the neighboring cities, you'll also find Apple, Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Intel, and a variety of other businesses, including smaller start-ups and Fortune 500 companies.
Being the epicenter of Silicon Valley, you can have the impression that everyone in San Jose works directly in tech. Still, there are several other positions in and out of tech companies, in areas like marketing, accounting, and finance. What's truly meaningful about San Jose's economy is its stability, increasing demand, and job market growth.
San Jose is also the #1 city in the country for foreign-born talent. It's home to an international workforce, with 38% of the population born outside of the United States. In addition, many top-tier local schools, including Stanford University, the University of California, and Berkeley, produce many engineering and computer science graduates yearly that contribute to the growing region's economy.
San Jose Median Household Income
San Jose is one of the wealthiest cities in the nation with a median household income of over $155,550. That figure is more than double the national household income average of $67,521. In fact, 66% of the households in San Jose earn over $100K per year.
San Jose, CA Recognition
#1 in Best Places to Live in California in 2022-2023
#3 in Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2022-2023
#5 in Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2022-2023
Transportation In San Jose, CA
San Jose has a compact, walkable, and bike-friendly downtown area. It also has plentiful parking and is served by an extensive system of transportation options. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates a network of bus and light rail lines that connect downtown San Jose with outlying neighborhoods and suburban areas such as Alum Rock, Almaden, and Santa Teresa, plus neighboring Campbell and Mountain View. In addition, the Caltrain commuter rail line runs through downtown San Jose, providing daily service to San Francisco and other Bay Area cities. For car owners, real estate in San Jose is served by two major highways, Interstate 280 and Highway 101.