A family of four needed $403K yearly to live comfortably in San Jose, placing the city second on a new ranking of major US metros.
The benchmark followed a standard budget split, balancing necessities, discretionary spending, and future savings to define what comfortable living looks like for families.
That comfort measure included basic costs like housing, food, utilities, transportation, and hobbies, showing how everyday expenses shape the income target in San Jose.
San Jose’s placement reflected broader California pressures, including a severe housing shortage, high taxes, and strict regulations that can raise the cost of living.
The national median household income for a family of four was $125K, far below the level tied to comfortable living in San Jose.