Moving from Santa Clara, CA to San Jose, CA
Relocating from Santa Clara, CA to San Jose, CA? The drive is 13 mi β about 17 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
13 mi Β· 17 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CR G4, CR G21 |
| Major cities en route | San Mateo, Hayward, Fremont, Sunnyvale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% under Santa Clara β $1,782,192 β $1,463,614 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Jose β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.03 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in San Jose than Santa Clara.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 13 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 17.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 18.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Jose, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 13 mi and the route typically takes 17 min via US 101 and CR G4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· San Jose, CA.