AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Other Services and Amenities
- Language Classes
- Silicon Valley Adult Education
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx, UPS Store, USPS
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Store (Valley Fair Mall), Central Computers
- Table Tennis Spots
- Swan Ping Pong (San Jose)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (Downtown)
- Community Centers
- Roosevelt Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Guildhouse (Fine drinks and gaming in SoFA)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Bay 101 Casino, Casino M8trix
Essentials
- City
- San Jose, California, United States
- Population
- 970,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 250 Mbps (Xfinity, AT&T Fiber)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe (Santa Clara Valley Water District)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon (Prepaid 10GB approx. $40/mo)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, Wise, or Charles Schwab for low-fee withdrawals
- Accommodation
- High cost; Studio rentals via Zillow, Apartments.com, or Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Apple Pay and credit cards accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Blueground, or Zeus Living (Average $3,000 - $4,500/mo)
- Budget Accommodation
- Pacific Motor Inn ($110/night) or HI Santa Cruz (nearby)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Downtown San Jose (San Pedro Square area)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Willow Glen or Santana Row (West San Jose) for walkability
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WeWork (75 E Santa Clara St) - approx. $29/day or $300/mo
- Best Cafe for Work
- Academic Coffee (499 S 2nd St) - High-speed Wi-Fi and ample outlets
- Networking Events
- Silicon Valley Tech Meetups (often at San Jose State University)
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations San Jose or San Jose Digital Nomads Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft (Average ride $15 - $25)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bay Wheels (Lyft) - $3.49 per ride or $25/mo
- Best Beach Nearby
- Santa Cruz Main Beach (45-minute drive via Hwy 17)
- Top Regional Airline
- Southwest Airlines (operating from SJC)
- Top International Airline
- Alaska Airlines, Delta, or United (at SJC and SFO)
- Highway Access
- Primary access via I-280, US-101, and I-880
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Diridon Station (Caltrain, Amtrak, VTA Light Rail)
- Public Transport Passes
- Clipper Card - VTA Monthly Pass approx. $80
- Regional Travel
- Caltrain to San Francisco ($10.50), Amtrak Capitol Corridor to Sacramento
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- O'Connor Hospital or Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- YogaSource Los Gatos or CorePower Yoga (Santana Row)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- City Sports Club ($45/mo) or YMCA Central San Jose
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room (1131 S De Anza Blvd) - Wash/Fold $1.75/lb
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash (headquartered locally), UberEats, Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Vietnamese Pho (Phở Hà Nội in Little Saigon)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Good Karma Artisan Ales & Cafe (Downtown)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Peters' Bakery (Burnt Almond Cake) or SomiSomi (Santana Row)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Trader Joe's or San Jose Flea Market (Berryessa)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Same-day delivery available)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Whole Foods via Amazon Prime
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- San Pedro Square Market / Downtown First Street
- Local Brewery
- Strike Brewing Co. or Hapa's Brewing Company
- Wine Bars
- Vintage Wine Merchants (Santana Row)
- Street Food Stalls
- Spartan Taco Truck (S 10th St) or Moveable Feast events
- Popular International Cuisine
- Santana Row (Mastro's, Meso) or Japantown (Sushi Maru)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Winchester Mystery House ($42 admission), Tech Interactive
- Museums & Art Venues
- San Jose Museum of Art, ICA San Jose
- Historical Sites
- History Park at Kelley Park
- Religious Sites
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
- Annual Events
- San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (August), FanimeCon (May)
- Cultural Districts
- Japantown (one of only three remaining in the US)
- Theater Venues
- California Theatre, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
- Local Markets
- Rose Garden Farmers Market (Saturdays)
- Music Scene
- The Ritz (Indie/Rock), SAP Center (Major concerts)
- Street Art
- Murals in the SoFA District (South of First Area)
- Cooking Classes
- Sur La Table (Santana Row)
- Art Galleries
- Anno Domini Gallery (SoFA District)
- Historic Buildings
- Bank of Italy Building (Mediterranean Revival)
- Local Heritage
- Ohlone Native American history and Spanish Mission influence
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Alum Rock Park or Castle Rock State Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Pinnacles National Park (1.5 hours), Yosemite (3.5 hours)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Guadalupe River Trail (11 miles), Los Gatos Creek Trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sierra Road Summit for valley views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Twin Lakes State Beach (in nearby Santa Cruz)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500/m² ($550,000 for 48m² studio)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $9,200/m² ($440,000 for 48m² studio)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,800/m² ($650,000 for 60m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500/m² ($510,000 for 60m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000/m² ($800,000 for 80m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,000/m² ($640,000 for 80m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Federal) + 8.84% (California State)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; varies by treaty for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for US citizens/Green Card holders
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal) + 13.3% (California State)
- VAT
- No VAT; Sales Tax is 9.375% in San Jose
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Subpart F and GILTI rules apply
- Property Tax
- Approx. 1.2% of assessed value annually (Prop 13)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Documentary Transfer Tax (approx. $1.10 per $1,000)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax breaks; high tax burden.
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.