WhereCanIAfford › San Jose, CA › On $25,000

Is San Jose, CA affordable on a $25,000 salary?

NO On $25,000/yr, the typical $1,527,731 home in San Jose, CA needs $469,179/yr ($10,948/mo). Your gap: $-444,179 — housing would be 525.5% of your gross income.

The math

1,527,731 price − 10% down (152,773) = 1,374,958 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.95% on 1,374,958 = 9,102/mo principal+interest
+ 1,846/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
10,948/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 39,098/mo → 469,179/yr required

against Zillow ZHVI 2026-08 and the 6.95% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-09-17).

What salary WOULD clear San Jose, CA?

You need about $469,179/yr for the typical home. That's $444,179 more than $25,000.

On $50,000? On $75,000?

See the full San Jose, CA affordability breakdown → or every metro you can afford on $25,000 →