Cost of living in Jena, Germany vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 36% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Jena (Germany) is 36% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €12 ($14) | $19 | - 29% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 ($9) | $11 | - 16% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.27 ($3.90) | $5.19 | - 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.74 ($0.89) | $1.21 | - 26% | |
12 eggs, large | €1.82 ($2.16) | $3.92 | - 45% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.18 ($2.60) | $4.21 | - 38% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €3.73 ($4.45) | $7 | - 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.23 ($2.66) | $4.37 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.03 ($1.23) | $2.38 | - 48% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €0.81 ($0.96) | $2.95 | - 67% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €6 ($8) | $18 | - 57% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €1.65 ($1.97) | $2.37 | - 17% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.96 ($1.15) | $2.24 | - 49% | |
Housing | - 62% | |||
Housing in Jena (Germany) is 62% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €937 ($1,117) | $3,252 | - 66% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €731 ($872) | $2,659 | - 67% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €135 ($161) | $149 | + 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €487 ($581) | $2,410 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €350 ($417) | $1,555 | - 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €67 ($80) | $114 | - 30% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €21 ($24) | $38 | - 36% | |
40” flat screen tv | €350 ($417) | $329 | + 27% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €85 ($101) | $128 | - 21% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €4.41 ($5.26) | $10 | - 49% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €12 ($14) | $37 | - 62% | |
Clothes | - 8% | |||
Clothes in Jena (Germany) is 8% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €63 ($75) | $49 | + 55% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €31 ($37) | $50 | - 26% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €74 ($89) | $89 | - 0% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €84 ($100) | $112 | - 10% | |
Transportation | - 9% | |||
Transportation in Jena (Germany) is 9% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €16,388 ($19,545) | $23,712 | - 18% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.40 ($1.66) | $0.92 | + 80% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €54 ($65) | $81 | - 20% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €16 ($19) | $19 | + 4% | |
Personal Care | - 43% | |||
Personal Care in Jena (Germany) is 43% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €5.60 ($7) | $7 | - 4% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 ($10) | $21 | - 54% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €40 ($48) | $110 | - 57% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.75 ($7) | $7 | - 1% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.11 ($2.51) | $3.71 | - 32% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.53 ($3.02) | $5.68 | - 47% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.21 ($1.44) | $3.57 | - 60% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €1.88 ($2.25) | $1.93 | + 17% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €16 ($19) | $21 | - 11% | |
Entertainment | - 40% | |||
Entertainment in Jena (Germany) is 40% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €28 ($34) | $50 | - 32% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €18 ($21) | $27 | - 21% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €56 ($67) | $202 | - 67% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €41 ($49) | $89 | - 45% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €6 ($8) | $13 | - 42% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.61 ($3.11) | $5.70 | - 45% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €2.58 ($3.08) | $8 | - 60% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €400 ($477) | $436 | + 10% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.10 ($0.12) | $0.43 | - 73% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €41 ($49) | $62 | - 21% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €6 ($7) | $9 | - 16% | |
TOTAL | - 41% |

These prices were last updated on March 09, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.193
USD
/
EUR
Do you live in San Jose, California? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Madrid is 131% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Copenhagen is 16% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Valencia is 87% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Tegucigalpa is 41% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in New York City is about the same as in London
- Cost of living in Montevideo is 71% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Santiago is 29% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in Caracas is 71% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Hong Kong is 14% more expensive than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 39% cheaper than in Santiago
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Geneva (Switzerland)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Francisco, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Diego, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Oxford (United Kingdom)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Luxembourg
- Cost of Living, Prices in Calgary (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Basel (Switzerland)
Cost of living in Jena (Germany) is 41% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $8,800 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $5,201 (€4,360) in Jena.
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Gävle costs 89 kr (12 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Manchester costs £1,200 (about 1 hour ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Bucharest costs 6,300 lei (about 1 hour ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in London costs £50 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Warsaw costs 4.60 zł (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Montpellier costs €735 (about 2 hours ago)