Living in Santa Clara, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Santa Clara · Census data 2020–2024
Santa Clara has 130,256 residents with a median age of 34.6. The median household income is $178,958 (81% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,582,600, the median rent is $3,016/month.
Santa Clara at a glance
- Population
- 130,256
- Median age
- 34.6State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $178,958State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,582,600State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $3,016/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 40.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 65.9%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Santa Clara a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 81% higher than the California median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 8.4%.
Cons: Home values 115% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June–July and September–October.
Cost of living in Santa Clara
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Santa Clara the median home value is $1,582,600, 376% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $3,016 per month, which is 24.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Santa Clara median household income
The median household income in Santa Clara is $178,958 and the income per person is $89,833. 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Santa Clara: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 53,021
- Owner-occupied
- 40.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 59.2%
- Vacant
- 5.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.52
Santa Clara demographics
- Population
- 130,256
- Median age
- 34.6
- Under 18
- 17%
- 65 and older
- 11.4%
- Households
- 50,088
- Foreign-born
- 46.4%
- Veterans
- 2.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Santa Clara ›
Education in Santa Clara
65.9% of adults 25 and older in Santa Clara have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 35.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Santa Clara
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 25.7%
- Drive alone
- 58.2%
- Public transit
- 2.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.9%
Santa Clara vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | 130,256 | $178,958 | $1,582,600 | $3,016 |
| Sunnyvale | 154,236 | $186,170 | $1,801,800 | $3,039 |
| Burbank | 5,333 | $134,518 | $1,104,600 | $2,566 |
| Fruitdale | 986 | $182,889 | $1,581,200 | $2,746 |
| Cupertino | 58,566 | $234,707 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Campbell | 42,781 | $145,268 | $1,617,000 | $2,737 |
| Milpitas | 78,578 | $178,798 | $1,251,700 | $3,120 |
| Mountain View | 83,732 | $189,917 | $1,927,000 | $3,062 |
| Los Altos | 30,698 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
More for people moving to Santa Clara
Santa Clara ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Santa Clara: FAQ
What is the median household income in Santa Clara, CA?
The median household income in Santa Clara is $178,958, 81% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Santa Clara?
The median home value in Santa Clara is $1,582,600, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Santa Clara?
The median gross rent in Santa Clara is $3,016 per month, about 24.5% of household income.
Is Santa Clara, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 81% higher than the California median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 8.4%. Minuses: home values 115% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Santa Clara?
The median age in Santa Clara is 34.6 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Santa Clara?
The average commute to work in Santa Clara is 23 minutes; 25.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Santa Clara?
The unemployment rate in Santa Clara is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Santa Clara?
65.9% of adults in Santa Clara have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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