Image of San Jose

Best suburbs in San Jose

Written by:
April 25, 2024
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Best suburbs in San Jose

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in San Jose. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in San Jose.

Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Portola Valley, California

- Population: 4,397
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Fletcher Middle School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
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oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#15. Ladera, California

- Population: 1,427
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $No data available

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Fletcher Middle School (grade A+), Las Lomitas Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
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Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Fruitdale, California

- Population: 1,219
- Median home value: $1,349,200
- Median rental price: $2,615

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Discovery Charter School - Phoenix (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
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YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. Campbell, California

- Population: 43,464
- Median home value: $1,473,700
- Median rental price: $2,619

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#12. Cambrian Park, California

- Population: 3,551
- Median home value: $1,919,600
- Median rental price: $3,372

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Discovery Charter School - Phoenix (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Lexington Hills, California

- Population: 2,587
- Median home value: $1,173,900
- Median rental price: $2,679

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Los Gatos High School (grade A+), Discovery Charter School - Phoenix (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+), Bellarmine College Preparatory (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Fremont, California

- Population: 228,795
- Median home value: $1,231,500
- Median rental price: $2,824

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Mission San Jose High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), The Quarry Lane School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
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Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Monte Sereno, California

- Population: 3,444
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,295

- Top schools nearby: Saratoga High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Los Gatos High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Loyola, California

- Population: 3,818
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Los Altos High School (grade A+), Mountain View High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Saratoga, California

- Population: 30,771
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Saratoga High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Lynbrook High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
A family playing soccer together.
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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. West Menlo Park, California

- Population: 3,401
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,354

- Top schools nearby: Las Lomitas Elementary School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+), Menlo-Atherton High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Happy young family sitting in a park.
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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Atherton, California

- Population: 7,124
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Las Lomitas Elementary School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+), Menlo-Atherton High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Happy family in backyard with dog.
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Los Gatos, California

- Population: 33,093
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $2,870

- Top schools nearby: Saratoga High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
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F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Los Altos, California

- Population: 31,133
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Los Altos High School (grade A+), Mountain View High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Menlo Park, California

- Population: 33,324
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $2,895

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Carlmont High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Los Altos Hills, California

- Population: 8,441
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Los Altos High School (grade A+), Mountain View High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

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