1st Advantage MortgageAbout 55% of Santa Clara County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $164,281. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Santa Clara County, and confirm each one's California license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Santa Clara County
- The $164,281 median and what sits around it
- Work, industries and travel time in Santa Clara County
- How Santa Clara County ranks in California
- The Santa Clara County housing market in figures
- Places inside Santa Clara County
- Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County and other neighbors
- Age, degrees and coverage in Santa Clara County
- Before borrowing in Santa Clara County
- Debt-to-income, Santa Clara County edition
- California lender licensing
- Checklist for Santa Clara County applicants
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Santa Clara County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Santa Clara County's population at 1,902,047; only 5 of California's 58 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 1,473.2 residents per square mile across 1,291 square miles of land. It is one of the counties that make up the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 24 Census places inside Santa Clara County, San Jose leads by population with about 990,138; 15 of the 24 are incorporated.
The $164,281 median and what sits around it
The median household income in Santa Clara County is $164,281; statewide it is $99,122, so Santa Clara County runs 66% above California as a whole. In the state ranking that is 1st of 58.
| Band | Santa Clara County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 10.7% | -7.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 20.7% | -11.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.0% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 41.6% | +21.1 pts |
About 11% of households earn under $35,000, while 69% clear $100,000. Santa Clara County counts about 135,168 residents below the poverty line, 7.1% of the population. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Santa Clara County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Santa Clara County
Professional and administrative services employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. Santa Clara County over-indexes on professional and administrative services: 23% versus 15% in California. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Santa Clara County. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 24% work from home. 6.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Santa Clara County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 23.1% | +8.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.2% | +7.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.0% | -2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -2.4 pts |
| Information | 6.5% | +3.6 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Santa Clara County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
How Santa Clara County ranks in California
- The share of households earning $100,000 or more: 69% in Santa Clara County, the highest of 58 in California. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- On median household income, Santa Clara County sits near the top of California at $164,281, the highest of 58. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
- On median gross rent, Santa Clara County sits near the top of California at $2,857/mo, 2nd highest of 56. Rent this high leaves less room in a debt-to-income test.
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 56% in Santa Clara County. Only 2 of 58 California counties are higher. Student loan payments count in a debt-to-income ratio, so list them.
The Santa Clara County housing market in figures
A typical Santa Clara County rental runs $2,857 a month including utilities, which is 40% above California. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. Santa Clara County homes are worth $1,490,600 at the median, a 9.1-to-1 ratio to income. 55% of Santa Clara County households own their home and 45% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1975.
| Housing | Santa Clara County | California statewide | Santa Clara County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $1,490,600 | $734,700 | 103% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 55% | -10.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 38% | -5.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $2,857/mo | $2,036/mo | 40% higher |
| Vacant units | 6% | 7% | -1.8 pts |
| Owners | 55% | 56% | -0.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.8% | 3.5% | -0.8 pts |
Places inside Santa Clara County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 24. Roughly 1% of Santa Clara County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Los Altos ($250,001) and Stanford ($75,208) mark the top and bottom of Santa Clara County's income range among larger places. Names with links open a city guide. The other 17 places are covered here.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | city | 990,138 | $146,427 | $2,669 | 9 mi |
| Sunnyvale | city | 154,236 | $186,170 | $3,039 | 22 mi |
| Santa Clara | city | 130,256 | $178,958 | $3,016 | 18 mi |
| Mountain View | city | 83,732 | $189,917 | $3,062 | 25 mi |
| Milpitas | city | 78,578 | $178,798 | $3,120 | 18 mi |
| Palo Alto | city | 67,237 | $231,101 | $3,484 | 28 mi |
| Gilroy | city | 59,004 | $133,107 | $2,301 | 16 mi |
| Cupertino | city | 58,566 | $234,707 | $3,501 | 21 mi |
| Morgan Hill | city | 45,425 | $163,920 | $2,474 | 7 mi |
| Campbell | city | 42,781 | $145,268 | $2,737 | 15 mi |
| Los Gatos | town | 32,786 | $217,554 | $3,247 | 15 mi |
| Los Altos | city | 30,698 | $250,001 | $3,501 | 25 mi |
| Saratoga | city | 30,319 | $250,001 | $3,501 | 19 mi |
| Stanford | CDP | 18,662 | $75,208 | $1,976 | 30 mi |
Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County and other neighbors
Santa Cruz County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Merced County, is 53 miles off. Richest neighbor: San Mateo County, $158,855. Poorest: Merced County, $65,510. Santa Clara County: $164,281.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County | - | $164,281 | $2,857/mo | 55% |
| Santa Cruz County, CA | 23 mi | $111,093 | $2,264/mo | 60% |
| Alameda County, CA | 32 mi | $129,367 | $2,357/mo | 54% |
| San Mateo County, CA | 40 mi | $158,855 | $2,922/mo | 58% |
| Stanislaus County, CA | 44 mi | $81,468 | $1,623/mo | 61% |
| Contra Costa County, CA | 50 mi | $127,229 | $2,375/mo | 68% |
| Merced County, CA | 53 mi | $65,510 | $1,343/mo | 54% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Santa Clara County
56% of Santa Clara County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 3.9%, against 6.6% for California.
| Measure | Santa Clara County | Gap to California | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | +0.2 yrs | -3.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 56.5% | +19.4 pts | +34.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.7% | -4.5 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | -2.7 pts | -3.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | -1.1 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Work from home | 23.9% | +6.7 pts | +15.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | -4.9 pts | -6.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | -1.7 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Minutes to work | Santa Clara County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Before borrowing in Santa Clara County
Based on the Santa Clara County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 69% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Rent squeeze. 45% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Debt-to-income, Santa Clara County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Santa Clara County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $13,690 gross per month ($164,281 / 12)
- Less median rent of $2,857, which is 21% of it
- $1,935: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $3,304 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
California lender licensing
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Santa Clara County borrowers answers to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on California: California personal loans.
Checklist for Santa Clara County applicants
Quick steps for Santa Clara County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Keep exploring
More local guides:
- San Jose, CA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Santa Clara, CA
- Mountain View, CA
- Milpitas, CA
- Palo Alto, CA
- Cupertino, CA
- California state guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Santa Clara County?
$164,281 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $99,122 for California. It ranks 1st of 58 in the state.
How much is rent in Santa Clara County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $2,857 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Is Fruitdale covered?
Yes. Fruitdale is one of 24 Census places in Santa Clara County, and this guide covers all of them.
Are Santa Clara County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Santa Clara County?
Start with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.