Moving from San Jose, CA to San Francisco, CA
Relocating between San Jose, CA and San Francisco, CA is a 107 mi drive — 2h 43m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
107 mi · 2h 43m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, I 580, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | San Francisco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 110.423 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 4.7% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, San Francisco +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 62°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 20.6" |
Expect 5.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
San Francisco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 836,321 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $141,446 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.31 |
Median household incomes in San Jose ($141,565) and San Francisco ($141,446) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Francisco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is San Francisco, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 107 mi and the route typically takes 2h 43m via I 880 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Francisco compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,356,662 in San Francisco vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 7.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Francisco compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs San Francisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,446 in San Francisco vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 0.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Francisco more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Francisco is 4.7% higher than San Jose (115.613 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to San Francisco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 107 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Jose and San Francisco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.2°F in San Francisco vs 61.5°F in San Jose (5.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.6 in vs 16.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · San Francisco, CA.