With sunny California weather, a bustling job market at the heart of Silicon Valley, and culture galore, San Jose, California, has earned a place among the Best Big Cities to Live in the U.S.
Alas, it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the country by most metrics: homes, rent, gas, food, and utility costs are all well above cities like Chicago and Houston, and in some cases even higher than its notoriously expensive California neighbors like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
But if your budget supports moving to San Jose, the next question is where in San Jose to settle down. Fortunately, you have a wide span of options when it comes to the best neighborhoods in San Jose — whether you’re looking for a centrally located condo in an urban community, a spacious suburban home amid hills and trails, or a restored bungalow in an eclectic historic district.
How We Chose the Best Neighborhoods in San Jose
To create this list, we reviewed data such as housing prices, crime reports, and commute times, while factoring in schools, local amenities, and resident reviews. Since everyone has their own preferences, we chose neighborhoods that stand out for different lifestyles, budgets, and needs.
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The 8 Best Neighborhoods in San Jose
Before we break down the best San Jose neighborhoods, looking at the overall housing market will give us pricing context. Affordability here is a relative term — you won’t find any “cheap” neighborhoods in San Jose when the county, metro area, and state all rank at the top for cost of living.
Even the properties in lower-priced San Jose neighborhoods are more than double the national average of $436,412, and renters shell out an average of $2,375 for a one-bedroom home. For more details on the cost of living, plus tips for soon-to-be San Jose residents, see our guide on moving to San Jose.
Of course, housing prices only tell part of the story when it comes to San Jose’s neighborhoods. Keep reading for our top picks for the best places to live in the city.
1. Cambrian: Best Neighborhood in San Jose for Families
Median home sale price: $1,711,421
Average rent: $2,278
Commute to Downtown: 12-minute drive
Don’t Miss: Los Gatos Creek Trail
Close to downtown but equipped for family living, Cambrian is a largely residential neighborhood that is considered one of the top areas in San Jose to raise kids. This diverse neighborhood has A-rated schools, boasts high safety rankings, and is more commuter-friendly than other parts of San Jose.
Cambrian is home to the beloved Cambrian Park Plaza, a classic strip mall best known for its iconic rotating carousel sign dating back to the 1950s. Although the local landmark is in the process of redevelopment, its original character (and sign) will be preserved.
Despite its city location, Cambrian offers easy access to nature, with the breathtaking Los Gatos Creek Trail and Guadalupe River parks nearby, and four-legged family members will appreciate the area’s multiple impressive dog parks.
2. Evergreen: Safest Neighborhood in San Jose
Median home sale price: $1,711,421
Average rent: $2,278
Commute to Downtown: 22-minute drive
Don’t Miss: Evergreen Village Square, Joseph D. Grant County Park
If you’re moving to San Jose and prioritize safety, you’ll appreciate Evergreen’s low crime and quiet lifestyle. AreaVibes.com lists this East San Jose neighborhood as the safest neighborhood in the city, giving it a B+ rating for crime and an A+ in its health and safety category.
That sense of security is one of the reasons Evergreen is a top choice for families, but it doesn’t come at the expense of activities — many of which involve outdoor recreation. The area’s lush green spaces include Joseph D. Grant County Park, a horseback riding and hiking paradise, while Evergreen Village Square is a historic neighborhood hub with a farmer’s market and frequent community festivals.
3. Almaden Valley: Wealthiest Neighborhood in San Jose
Median home sale price: $2,230,174
Average rent: $2500
Commute to Downtown: 28-minute drive
Don’t Miss: Almaden Quicksilver Park, Mount Umunhum
Almaden is often considered the richest neighborhood in San Jose, with an average per-household income of nearly $225K. Framed by the Santa Teresa Hills, its homes are among the most expensive in San Jose, and it’s frequently ranked as one of the best neighborhoods in the area thanks to its safety, schools, and natural beauty.
The abundant parklands surrounding Almaden give the community a sense of both openness and privacy. Its flagship outdoor space, Almaden Quicksilver Park, is the ultimate nature destination in San Jose, with 37 miles of hiking trails and 30 miles of equestrian paths. Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Head to the top of Mount Umanhum, where you’ll find one of the best views in the city.
4. Willow Glen: Nicest Neighborhood in San Jose
Median home sale price: $1,873,133
Average rent: $2,290
Commute to Downtown: 12-minute drive
Don’t Miss: Downtown Willow Glen Business District, The Children’s Discovery Museum
What makes a neighborhood nice? Is it the houses? Safety? Local charm? We chose Willow Glen as the nicest neighborhood in San Jose for these reasons and more.
With its classic architecture, lower crime, and happy residents, it’s one of the most popular areas in San Jose to live — and its cafés, shops, and community events attract plenty of visitors, too.
Cookie-cutter communities are not a thing here: the houses in Willow Glen are mostly original builds and famous in their own right. Architectural jewels — from mid-century Eichler ranch homes to Spanish Revival bungalows — are popular with sightseers drawn to the neighborhood’s old California charm.
5. Downtown San Jose: Best for Young Professionals
Median home sale price: $1,015,051
Average rent: $2017
Commute to Downtown: 0 minutes
Don’t miss: San Pedro Square Market, Orchestra Palm Court
With a dynamic job market and a sunny California backdrop, Downtown San Jose draws young professionals from all over the world. Walkable, modern, and never boring, downtown residents can enjoy enclaves of global culture and plenty of big city perks. Homes are priced lower than nearby areas — although this may be a reflection of the abundance of lofts and condominiums, it’s promising for those considering their first home purchase.
Lonely Planet suggests Downtown San Jose is the best neighborhood in the city for sightseeing and nightlife, thanks to its five districts:
SoFA (“South First Area”), a hub of arts, culture, and chic apartments
San Pedro Square, a hotspot for casual hangs, with an epic dining hall and unique nightlife
Little Italy, which tells the story of San Jose’s Italian immigrant heritage
Historic District, a scenic, stroll-worthy area with picturesque buildings and an inclusive community
St. James, home to a massive community park with year-round events and activities
Downtown San Jose is also adjacent to Japantown, which transports you to the streets of Tokyo through its markets, boutiques, galleries, and delightful entertainment. Karaoke, anyone?
6. Edenvale: Seven Trees: Best Affordable Neighborhood
Median home sale price: $1,122,646
Average rent: $1600
Commute to Downtown: 14-minute drive
Don’t miss: Hayes Mansion, Edenvale Gardens Regional Park
Once a town of its own, Edenvale was named for the Garden of Eden thanks to its natural beauty and fertile land. Its neighbor to the north, Seven Trees, was incorporated into San Jose in the 1970s, and together they make up the most affordable neighborhood on our list.
Residents of Edenvale and Seven Trees enjoy strong public schools that mirror many of their affluent neighbors in quality. The area features plenty of history, including the 40,000-square-foot Hayes Mansion, known as one of the area’s best examples of 19th-century architecture. The adjacent Edenvale Gardens Regional Park is a family favorite, and includes charming public art installations (including this birdhouse village, which pay tribute to the amusement park that once operated there).
7. Berryessa — Best for tech commuters
Median home sale price: $1,694,349
Average rent: $1750
Commute to Downtown: 14-minute drive
Don’t miss: Berryessa Flea Market, Penitencia Creek Park
With proximity to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) line and Interstate 880, Berryessa is a community of choice for tech workers who prioritize easy access to the office. More than a transportation hub, the area has a sense of community and culture, with residents praising its frequent neighborhood events and close-knit vibe.
Berryessa’s local culture reflects its diverse population (more than 60% of whom are of Asian descent) through its culinary offerings. From boba to bulgogi, Berryessa delivers on a range of Eastern dining — including Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian — as well as plenty of tea houses.
As a largely residential area, shopping is mostly chain-level, but there’s a notable exception: the Berryessa Flea Market. Visitors can browse an eclectic array of vendors, relax with a brew in the beer garden, and hear live music as they stroll the market rows.
8. Blossom Valley – Most Diverse
Median home sale price: $1,447,697
Average rent: $2,738
Commute to Downtown: 14-minute drive
Don’t miss: Martial Cottle Park, San Jose Capitol Flea Market
Blossom Valley’s sweet-sounding name comes from its origins as a sprawling community of orchards. Seated in South San Jose, east of Cambrian and Willow Glen and west of Seven Trees, it’s a mostly residential area known for handsome ranch homes that aren’t as pricey as those in other ZIP codes.
Although it has a distinctly suburban feel, Blossom Valley is a short drive from fun spots like the San Jose Capitol Flea Market (which boasts a drive-in theater) and some of the region’s biggest shopping destinations, such as Bass Pro Shops at Almaden Ranch and Westfield Oakridge.
With near-equal representation among White, Asian, and Hispanic populations, the Blossom Valley neighborhood has a diversity score of 93 — meaning it’s considered more diverse than 93% of neighborhoods in the U.S. The area is also lauded as one of the safest neighborhoods in San Jose and one of its most commuter-friendly.
Move to Your Dream San Jose Neighborhood with Colonial Van Lines
Whether you’re dreaming of trail rides in Alameda Valley or futuristic hot spots in Downtown San Jose, Colonial Van Lines is ready to help with your long distance move. With our full-service moving services, which include packing, loading, transport, and unloading,, our extensive experience in long-distance moves can ensure a seamless move to San Jose. Get your free quote today!