($1,432) Movers From Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA

What to know before moving from Chicago to San Jose

Moving from Chicago to San Jose comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Jose is generally more expensive than Chicago, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in San Jose are 51% higher than in Chicago, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in San Jose are 391.5% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in San Jose is 16.6% higher than in Chicago, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Jose include Cisco Systems, Western Digital, and Infineon Technologies.
• The cost of living for a single person is the same in San Jose and Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 9.8% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in San Jose is 26.67% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in San Jose, since the city’s sales taxes in San Jose are 8.49% lower than in Chicago.
• State income taxes in San Jose are 168.69% higher than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,021.38 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. San Jose

• San Jose might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 65% less than Chicago.
• Getting around San Jose without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. San Jose has a public transportation score of 7 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• San Jose neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, San Jose isn’t as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in San Jose, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, San Jose earned a 62. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in San Jose is higher than in Chicago, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 47.73 in San Jose, it is 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in San Jose than in Chicago, based on San Jose’s safety index of 52.27 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in San Jose isn’t as good as it is in Chicago, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Jose has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Chicago is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. San Jose move

• Weather: San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Jose. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Jose

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Man Jose", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Jose.

Helpful moving resources