San Jose CA

In San Jose, the rent-to-income burden runs around 22% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $146,427 and median rent is $2,669/month. 48% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $1,233,200 — that's 8.4× the median income. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. Employment picture: 5.06% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 8.1%. Average commute: 27 minutes — acceptable. Average high 72.9°F, low 51.5°F. 24 days per year above 90°F. 17.7 inches of annual precipitation. Violent crime: 37.6/100k avg monthly rate (13980 reported); Property crime: 201.2/100k avg monthly rate (74938 reported). San Jose was founded in 1777 — that's 249 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 180.5 sq miles at 5,485 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 82 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. San Jose has 9 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 64/100 — It Depends.