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.

Median home value

Santa Clara$1,582,600
California$734,700
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Santa Clara$3,016
California$2,036
United States$1,413

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%).

Median household income

Santa Clara$178,958
California$99,122
United States$80,734

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+

Race and ethnicity

White29.6%
Hispanic or Latino15.7%
Black1.7%
Asian50.4%

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.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Santa Clara65.9%
California37.1%
United States35.7%

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

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Santa Clara130,256$178,958$1,582,600$3,016
Sunnyvale154,236$186,170$1,801,800$3,039
Burbank5,333$134,518$1,104,600$2,566
Fruitdale986$182,889$1,581,200$2,746
Cupertino58,566$234,707$2,000,001$3,501
Campbell42,781$145,268$1,617,000$2,737
Milpitas78,578$178,798$1,251,700$3,120
Mountain View83,732$189,917$1,927,000$3,062
Los Altos30,698$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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