Top 5 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Jose
Where are the best neighborhoods in San Jose?
The five relatively affordable neighborhoods in San Jose are Alum Rock / East San Jose, Downtown San Jose, Berryessa, South San Jose, and Edenvale / Seven Trees. Based on median home prices, these areas are generally in the $750,000–$900,000 range. Among them, the best fit for Korean residents is Berryessa, with excellent schools, active Korean community, and great access to Korean restaurants and supermarkets.
How expensive is San Jose?
San Jose, CA is the heart of Silicon Valley. As of Q1 2025, the median home price is about $1,480,000 (Zillow, 2025), which is far higher than the U.S. average of $418,000 (Houzeo), making it one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Despite its high living costs and home prices, San Jose remains very attractive to Korean international students, H-1B workers, and immigrant families because of its dynamic job market and excellent education infrastructure.
However, due to the heavy housing burden, more and more people are looking for relatively cheaper areas within or near San Jose.
In this article, we introduce the pros and cons of the five more affordable neighborhoods in San Jose based on the latest data, and we include tips specifically for Korean residents.
San Jose is, overall, an expensive city. So here, “affordable” is a relative term: we focus on neighborhoods that are less expensive compared with other parts of San Jose.
Overview of More Affordable Areas in San Jose
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Average Monthly Rent | Cost of Living (vs U.S. Avg.) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Rock / East San Jose | $850,000 | $2,200 | 175% | Diverse immigrant communities, good park system |
| Downtown San Jose | $750,000 (condo) | $2,500 | 181% | Excellent transit, urban lifestyle |
| Berryessa | $900,000 | $2,300 | 178% | BART station, active Asian community |
| South San Jose | $800,000 | $2,100 | 175% | Highway access, relatively cheaper rent |
| Edenvale / Seven Trees | $780,000 | $2,000 | 175% | Community facilities, lower-cost housing options |
Sources
- Median home price & rent: Redfin, Zillow (Feb 2025)
- Cost of living: BestPlaces.net (2024–2025)
Note: Cost of living uses the U.S. national average of 100 as the baseline and reflects the overall San Jose average of 181, adjusted for each neighborhood. Exact numbers may vary by sub-area.
Pros and Cons of the Top 5 More Affordable Areas in San Jose
1. Alum Rock / East San Jose, 95127, 95116
- Location: East side of San Jose, about a 15-minute drive from Downtown.
- Home prices: Median around $850,000 for single-family homes; condos around $600,000 (Zillow, 2025).
Pros
- Beautiful natural environment with parks such as Alum Rock Park.
- Diverse immigrant communities, including large Vietnamese and Hispanic populations.
- Good access to Korean supermarket Hankook Supermarket (about a 10-minute drive).
Cons
- Some parts of the area have relatively higher crime rates and can feel less safe.
- Traffic congestion.
- According to BestPlaces.net, crime rates are slightly higher than the overall San Jose average in certain zones.
Tips for Korean residents
- Consider participating in local Korean churches such as San Jose Korean Baptist Church (near 95116) and in community events.
- Commute is convenient to nearby tech companies such as Cisco.
- You can also receive Korean groceries via Amazon Fresh.
2. Downtown San Jose, 95112
- Location: Central San Jose, close to the Caltrain station and VTA Light Rail.
- Home prices: Median condo price around $750,000; single-family homes about $1,000,000 (Redfin, 2025).
Pros
- Excellent public transportation, ideal for people without a car.
- Easy access to restaurants and entertainment such as San Pedro Square Market.
- Many apartment options suitable for students and young professionals.
Cons
- Limited parking areas.
- Homelessness can cause discomfort in some blocks.
Tips for Korean residents
- Popular among Korean international students. Apartments near San Jose State University (SJSU) are especially in demand.
- The local Korean community is relatively small, but H Mart in Milpitas is about a 20-minute drive away.
3. Berryessa, 95132
- Location: Northeastern part of San Jose, near the Berryessa / North San Jose BART station.
- Home prices: Median around $900,000 for townhomes/single-family homes; condos around $650,000 (Redfin, 2025).
Pros
- Easy access to San Francisco within about an hour via BART.
- Highly active Asian communities (particularly Vietnamese and Chinese).
- Generally good school districts.
Cons
- Ongoing redevelopment may push home prices higher over time.
- Some older homes can feel a bit dated or in need of renovation.
Tips for Korean residents
- Very suitable for families with children.
- Convenient access to Korean-language worship at Berryessa Valley Church and to H Mart in Milpitas (about a 10-minute drive).
4. South San Jose, 95111, 95123
- Location: Southern part of San Jose, near Highway 101.
- Home prices: Median around $800,000; condos around $550,000 (Redfin, 2025).
Pros
- Excellent highway access for commuting.
- Close to big-box stores like Costco and Walmart.
- Many relatively affordable rental options.
Cons
- Certain areas have safety concerns.
- School districts are generally considered below average compared to other parts of San Jose.
Tips for Korean residents
- The Korean community here is smaller, but you can still visit Korean restaurants like San Jose Tofu within about a 15-minute drive.
- For families, Costco is a convenient place to buy Korean food items in bulk.
5. Edenvale / Seven Trees, 95111
- Location: Smaller neighborhoods within South San Jose, about a 20-minute drive from Downtown.
- Home prices: Median around $780,000; mobile homes from about $500,000 (Zillow, 2025).
Pros
- Good local amenities such as Edenvale Community Center.
- Many relatively affordable housing options, including mobile homes.
Cons
- Some areas of the neighborhood have safety issues.
- Fewer upscale amenities compared to other parts of San Jose.
Tips for Korean residents
- A good option for students looking for lower rent.
- For Korean groceries, it is convenient to use Hankook Supermarket in South San Jose and online grocery delivery services such as Weee!
Best Option for Koreans: Berryessa
Among these neighborhoods, Berryessa is the most recommended area for Korean residents.
- Easy access to San Francisco via the nearby BART station.
- Good school districts, making it suitable for families with children.
- Active Asian community with convenient access to H Mart (Milpitas) and nearby Korean restaurants.
- Korean-language worship available at churches in the area.
With a median home price of about $900,000, Berryessa is cheaper than the overall San Jose median of $1.4 million, and rental options around $2,300 per month are attainable within many family budgets. Proximity to Silicon Valley tech companies also means more job opportunities and relatively manageable commute times.
FAQ
1. Which neighborhood is the cheapest place to live in San Jose?
For home purchases, Downtown San Jose (condos, around $750,000) and Edenvale / Seven Trees (around $780,000) are among the cheaper options.
For rent, Edenvale (around $2,000 per month) tends to offer the lowest average rents.
2. Can non-permanent residents (H-1B holders, international students) buy a home in San Jose?
Yes. H-1B visa holders and F-1 international students can buy homes in San Jose.
However, for mortgage approval they usually need:
- A qualifying credit score
- Proof of income
- A down payment, often 20% or more
Non-permanent residents are more likely to be required to carry PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).
We recommend consulting with a real estate agent and a mortgage lender. With Loaning.ai, you can receive mortgage counseling in Korean.
3. How safe is San Jose?
Overall, San Jose is considered relatively safe.
Compared to other large cities in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco) and major cities in the U.S. such as Detroit or Chicago, San Jose generally has lower crime rates, especially for violent crimes such as homicide and armed robbery.
Of course, safety can vary by neighborhood and even by block, so it’s always important to check recent local crime data.
4. What are the average home prices and rents in San Jose?
As of February 2025:
- The median home price is about $1.4 million.
- The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,765.
In more affordable areas such as Edenvale and South San Jose, you can often find rents in the $2,000–$2,300 range.
5. Which San Jose neighborhoods are recommended for Korean immigrants?
Considering school quality, public transportation, and access to Korean community resources, Berryessa is the top recommendation.
- For families: good school districts and convenient access to BART.
- For H-1B workers: proximity to major tech companies in Silicon Valley.
Curious How Much You Could Borrow for a Home in San Jose?
Wondering how much mortgage you could qualify for if you bought a home in San Jose?
On Loaning.ai, you only need to enter the city name, and we’ll show you the local loan limits for that area.
Check the loan limits by region and use them as a guide for setting a realistic homebuying budget.
