Travel budget and cost of living in San Jose (California) how much does a trip cost?

San Jose travel budget

San Jose: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to San Jose

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in San Jose for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in San Jose compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in San Jose in 2025 is 16% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in San Jose in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in San Jose by expense type

Restaurant budget in San Jose

Lunch

$ 24/person
($ 17 to $ 57)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 57/person
($ 43 to $ 85)

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37% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 13/person
($ 12 to $ 15)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 10 for 500ml
($ 6.7 to $ 17)

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54% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 3.2 for 330ml
($ 1.9 to $ 5.6)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Cappuccino

$ 6.4/cup
($ 3.5 to $ 7.8)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 3.5/can
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Water bottle

$ 2.5/bottle
($ 2.2 to $ 3.4)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in San Jose

1-star hotel

$ 187/night
($ 82 to $ 583)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

2-star hotel

$ 166/night
($ 75 to $ 530)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 255/night
($ 100 to $ 860)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 247

4-star hotel

$ 374/night
($ 148 to $ 825)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 347

5-star hotel

$ 828/night
($ 396 to $ 1826)

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47% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 567

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 187/month
($ 82 to $ 585)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 243/month
($ 101 to $ 1192)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 264

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 216/month
($ 79 to $ 665)

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3% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 225

Cottage or guest house

$ 298/month
($ 194 to $ 554)

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17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 255

Family room

$ 176/month
($ 85 to $ 535)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219

Supermarket food budget in San Jose

Milk

$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 2.1)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 5.3/500g
($ 4.1 to $ 7.4)

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33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 4.7/kg
($ 3 to $ 5.5)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 5.6/12 eggs
($ 3.4 to $ 10)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 22/kg
($ 9.8 to $ 33)

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59% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 6.9/kg
($ 3.7 to $ 15)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 8.4/kg
($ 6.1 to $ 13)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 5.4/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 9.8)

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68% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 3.2
($ 1.8 to $ 3.9)

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34% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in San Jose

Bus ticket

$ 2.8/ticket
($ 2.8 to $ 8.9)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.1/km
($ 2.1 to $ 3.5)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.6)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.9
($ 3.9 to $ 17)

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2% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Car hire

$ 86/24hrs
($ 41 to $ 309)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in San Jose

Cinema

$ 17/ticket
($ 17 to $ 22)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 36/hr
($ 14 to $ 57)

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50% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in San Jose

Cigarettes

$ 13/pack
($ 12 to $ 15)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 50
($ 40 to $ 79)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 41
($ 29 to $ 57)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Dublin → New York City

$ 590
(fair price: $ 507)

Manchester → New York City

$ 707
(fair price: $ 583)

London → New York City

$ 574
(fair price: $ 504)

Edinburgh → New York City

$ 830
(fair price: $ 661)

London → Miami (Florida)

$ 737
(fair price: $ 624)

Manchester → Miami (Florida)

$ 771
(fair price: $ 682)