What it actually costs to live in
Santa Clara County, CA.
Living wage breakdown for Santa Clara County, California — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $28.21 | $58,682 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $41.46 | $86,243 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $53.54 | $111,368 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $65.39 | $136,015 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $34.95 | $72,702 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $48.93 | $101,764 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $60.64 | $126,138 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $72.13 | $150,024 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $25,968 | $2,164 |
| Food | $5,538 | $462 |
| Medical | $4,284 | $357 |
| Transportation | $6,406 | $534 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,617 | $218 |
| Personal & Misc | $3,306 | $276 |
| Taxes | $10,563 | $880 |
| Total | $58,682 | $4,890 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$28.21/hr
Minimum wage$16.50/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Santa Clara County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.