Atherton, CA vs San Jose, CA
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | AthertonAtherton, CA | San JoseSan Jose, CA | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Elite | Good | |
| Cost of Living | Same | ||
| Crime | Very Safe | High Risk | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | Same |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | High Risk |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
7,021 is the population of Atherton, CA, compared to 990,054 for San Jose, CA, a difference of 983,033 people according to 2023 Census figures. San Jose also has a population density of 5,564 per square mile, which is 4.0 times higher than Atherton's 1,400 per square mile, placing San Jose in the 93rd percentile and Atherton in the 42nd percentile for this metric.
Violent crime rates differ substantially, with San Jose reporting 504 incidents per 100,000 people, 7.0 times higher than Atherton's 72, placing San Jose in the 86th percentile and Atherton in the 14th. Property crime follows a similar pattern: San Jose's 2,387 per 100,000 is 2.9 times higher than Atherton's 816, with San Jose in the 85th percentile and Atherton in the 24th. The median age in Atherton is 49, which is 10.9 years older than San Jose's 38.1, placing Atherton in the 92nd percentile and San Jose in the 51st. The average commute in San Jose is 28.1 minutes, 4 minutes longer than Atherton's 23.7 minutes, with San Jose in the 80th percentile and Atherton in the 52nd. Air quality also diverges: San Jose's AQI of 47 is 74% higher than Atherton's 27, putting San Jose in the 72nd percentile and Atherton in the 7th percentile for higher pollutant levels.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Atherton, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 46499th pctl | 30497th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Atherton, CA 464; San Jose, CA 304; Atherton is 53% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $2,000,00199th pctl | $1,187,80097th pctl | Median home value: Atherton, CA $2,000,001; San Jose, CA $1,187,800; Atherton is 68% higher. |
| Median rent | $3,501100th pctl | $2,61797th pctl | Median rent: Atherton, CA $3,501; San Jose, CA $2,617; Atherton is 34% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $250,00199th pctl | $141,56593rd pctl | Median household income: Atherton, CA $250,001; San Jose, CA $141,565; Atherton is 77% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $388,56599th pctl | $172,67796th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Atherton, CA $388,565; San Jose, CA $172,677; Atherton is 2.3 times higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $571,19099th pctl | $253,83596th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Atherton, CA $571,190; San Jose, CA $253,835; Atherton is 2.3 times higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Unaffordable | Unaffordable | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in San Jose needs about
$49,100
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 464 vs 304). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Atherton, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.7%52nd pctl | 4.1%70th pctl | About the same |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | -1.0%6th pctl | -0.3%15th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Atherton, CA -1.0%; San Jose, CA -0.3%; San Jose is 0.7 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $203,138100th pctl | $63,25389th pctl | Per-capita income: Atherton, CA $203,138; San Jose, CA $63,253; Atherton is 3.2 times higher. |
| Poverty rate | 3.3%6th pctl | 7.8%30th pctl | Poverty rate: Atherton, CA 3.3%; San Jose, CA 7.8%; San Jose is 4.5 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 23.7 min52nd pctl | 28.1 min80th pctl | Average commute: Atherton, CA 23.7 min; San Jose, CA 28.1 min; San Jose is 4 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 39.6%99th pctl | 18.5%80th pctl | Work from home: Atherton, CA 39.6%; San Jose, CA 18.5%; Atherton is 21.1 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Strong | Strong | Economic opportunity: Atherton, CA A+; San Jose, CA B+; Atherton is graded higher. |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Atherton, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 7214th pctl | 50486th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Atherton, CA 72; San Jose, CA 504; San Jose is 7.0 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 81624th pctl | 2,38785th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Atherton, CA 816; San Jose, CA 2,387; San Jose is 2.9 times higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Rising | Rising | |
| Crime & safety | Very Safe | Dangerous | Crime & safety: Atherton, CA A; San Jose, CA D-; Atherton is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Atherton, CA B+; San Jose, CA A+; San Jose is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Atherton, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Air quality: Atherton, CA A+; San Jose, CA A-; Atherton is graded higher. |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Dry | Dry | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Fair | Tap water: Atherton, CA A-; San Jose, CA B-; Atherton is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
Both are in California, so state taxes and state laws (homeschooling, firearms, property rights) are the same. See California →
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Atherton, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 19 mi25th pctl | 3 mi3rd pctl | Nearest large city: Atherton, CA 19 mi; San Jose, CA 3 mi; Atherton is 5.8 times higher. |
| Target proximity | Weak | Fair | Target proximity: Atherton, CA C; San Jose, CA C+; San Jose is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 439 mi62nd pctl | 419 mi60th pctl | About the same |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 8 mi8th pctl | 21 mi15th pctl | Distance to coastline: Atherton, CA 8 mi; San Jose, CA 21 mi; San Jose is 2.8 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | High Risk | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Atherton, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,02124th pctl | 990,054100th pctl | Population: Atherton, CA 7,021; San Jose, CA 990,054; San Jose is 983,033 larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 1,40042nd pctl | 5,56493rd pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Atherton, CA 1,400; San Jose, CA 5,564; San Jose is 4.0 times higher. |
| Median age | 4992nd pctl | 38.151st pctl | Median age: Atherton, CA 49; San Jose, CA 38.1; Atherton is 10.9 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 85.9%99th pctl | 46.5%75th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Atherton, CA 85.9%; San Jose, CA 46.5%; Atherton is 39.4 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.882nd pctl | 391st pctl | Average household size: Atherton, CA 2.8; San Jose, CA 3; San Jose is 6% larger. |
More about Atherton's residents · San Jose's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Atherton and San Jose
- Median rent: $3,501 in Atherton, $2,617 in San Jose
- Median home value: $2,000,001 in Atherton, $1,187,800 in San Jose
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 464 in Atherton, 304 in San Jose
- Median household income: $250,001 in Atherton, $141,565 in San Jose
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $571,190 in Atherton, $253,835 in San Jose
- Unemployment: 3.7% in Atherton, 4.1% in San Jose
- Average commute: 23.7 min in Atherton, 28.1 min in San Jose
- Violent crime per 100k: 72 in Atherton, 504 in San Jose
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More places like Atherton and San Jose
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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