San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area and the third-largest city in California, with a population of approximately one million residents. Situated at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, it serves as the economic and geographic center of Silicon Valley, home to the headquarters of major technology companies and thousands of startups. San Jose State University anchors the downtown area, and the city's proximity to Santa Clara University and other institutions makes it a significant college town within a major metropolitan environment. The cost of living, particularly for housing, ranks among the highest in the United States, reflecting the sustained demand generated by the technology industry.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Students living near downtown San Jose and SJSU's campus can manage well without a car, relying on VTA light rail, buses, Caltrain, and biking for most trips. Neighborhoods further from downtown are less walkable and may require transit connections that add commute time.
Browse student housing near each San Jose-area university.