- Cost of Living
- United States
- United States
- Mountain View, California
- San Jose, California
- Comparison
Cost of living in Mountain View, California, United States vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | + 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Mountain View, California (United States) is 4% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 | $19 | - 13% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 | $11 | - 5% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.66 | $5.19 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.17 | $1.21 | - 3% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.80 | $3.92 | + 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.62 | $4.21 | + 33% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $7 | + 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.34 | $4.37 | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.76 | $2.38 | + 16% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.98 | $2.95 | - 33% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $19 | $18 | + 6% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.97 | $2.37 | - 17% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.35 | $2.24 | + 49% | |
Housing | + 30% | |||
Housing in Mountain View, California (United States) is 30% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,417 | $3,253 | + 36% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,703 | $2,659 | + 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $235 | $149 | + 58% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,723 | $2,294 | + 19% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,466 | $1,555 | + 59% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $170 | $114 | + 50% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $46 | $38 | + 20% | |
40” flat screen tv | $432 | $329 | + 31% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $126 | $128 | - 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $10 | + 20% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 | $37 | - 8% | |
Clothes | + 6% | |||
Clothes in Mountain View, California (United States) is 6% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $51 | $49 | + 4% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $52 | $50 | + 4% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $99 | $89 | + 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $126 | $112 | + 12% | |
Transportation | + 51% | |||
Transportation in Mountain View, California (United States) is 51% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $24,133 | $23,712 | + 2% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.00 | $0.92 | + 8% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $142 | $81 | + 76% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $23 | $19 | + 23% | |
Personal Care | - 3% | |||
Personal Care in Mountain View, California (United States) is about the same as in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 | $7 | - 1% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 | $21 | + 18% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $72 | $110 | - 35% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 | $7 | + 39% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.27 | $3.71 | + 15% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.31 | $5.68 | - 6% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.73 | $3.57 | + 5% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.91 | $1.93 | - 1% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $25 | $21 | + 19% | |
Entertainment | - 5% | |||
Entertainment in Mountain View, California (United States) is 5% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $60 | $50 | + 21% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $26 | $27 | - 4% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $272 | $202 | + 35% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 | $89 | + 17% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 | $13 | + 2% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.80 | $5.70 | - 16% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $8 | - 15% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $429 | $436 | - 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.15 | $0.43 | - 64% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $69 | $62 | + 12% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 | $9 | - 2% | |
TOTAL | + 22% |

These prices were last updated on February 26, 2021.
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Cost of living in Mountain View, California (United States) is 22% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, you would need at least $11,951 in Mountain View, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $9,800 in San Jose, California.
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