Rent vs Buy in San Jose, CA
Monthly cost of renting vs owning a median-priced home · 30-yr fixed, 20% down
Renting looks favorable in San Jose, CA
Price-to-rent ratio is 34.5 (under 15 favors buying, over 21 favors renting). Renting costs $3,272/mo; owning runs about $10,271/mo — $6,999/mo more to own.
| Monthly cost to own | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mortgage (P&I, 7.18% rate) | $7,337 |
| Property tax | $1,241 |
| Home insurance | $564 |
| Maintenance | $1,128 |
| Total to own | $10,271 |
| Average 2BR rent | $3,272 |
Based on a median home value of $1,353,869 with a $270,774 down payment. Owning also builds equity over time, which a monthly comparison doesn't capture. Estimates use national averages for taxes, insurance and maintenance — your actual costs will vary.