$459,888
1494 Four Oaks Cir
San Jose, CA 95131
Condo vs. townhouse in San Jose
Prices, pace, and what you actually own
The short answer
July to September 2026. Updated monthly.
$635KCondos median price
$960KTownhouses median price
42Condos median days on market
24Townhouses median days on market
In San Jose, townhouses sold for a median of $960,011 and condos for $634,935 from July to September 2026. That is $325,076 more for the typical townhouse. By the square foot, townhouses sold for $672 and condos for $586. Townhouses sold faster, in a median of 24 days, against 42 days for condos. 49.0% of townhouses and 19.7% of condos sold above list price.
In San Jose, condos and townhouses are the most common ways into the market below the single-family median. They look similar on a listing, but they differ in price, in how fast they sell, and in what you own.
A townhouse usually means no one lives above or below you, and you often own the land under your unit. A condo usually means you own the space inside your unit and share the rest with the homeowners association.
Weighing both?
Tell Sean what you need, and he will send homes in both. Or call or text 650-400-0686.
By the numbers
Real sales data, side by side.
San Jose condos and townhouses, July to September 2026
| Measure | Condos | Townhouses | Single-family, for reference | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $634,935 | $960,011 | $1,620,854 | $325,076 more in townhouses (51.2%) |
| Change from a year earlier | -9.2% | -9.4% | -2.6% | 0.3 points higher in condos |
| Median price per sq ft | $586 | $672 | $956 | $87 more in townhouses (14.8%) |
| Homes sold | 264 | 173 | 1,012 | 91 more in condos |
| Median days on market | 42 | 24 | 17 | 18 days longer in condos |
| Average sale-to-list ratio | 98.6% | 101.2% | 101.9% | 2.6 points higher in townhouses |
| Sold above list price | 19.7% | 49.0% | 48.4% | 29.2 points higher in townhouses |
| Homes for sale | 308 | 153 | 597 | 155 more in condos |
| Months of supply | 3.6 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 0.9 more in condos |
Condo or townhouse: how they differ
| Topic | Condo | Townhouse |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | The space inside your unit, plus a shared interest in the building, land, and common areas | Usually your unit and the land under it, often with a small yard or patio. Some are legally condos. |
| Shared walls | Often walls, floors, and ceilings | Usually side walls only. No one above or below. |
| HOA usually covers | Roof, exterior, common areas, and the master insurance policy | Common areas. Roofs and exteriors vary by community. |
| Your insurance | A walls-in policy (HO-6) | Often a full homeowner policy (HO-3). Depends on the CC&Rs. |
| Loan review | The lender reviews the whole project: budget, reserves, owner-occupancy, and lawsuits. FHA and VA loans need project approval. | If it is not legally a condo, the lender treats it much like a single-family home. |
| Common in San Jose | Downtown high-rises, North San Jose near the tech campuses, and garden-style complexes across the city | Newer HOA communities in Berryessa, North San Jose, West San Jose, Evergreen, and Silver Creek |
This is general information about California ownership types, not legal advice. The title report, subdivision map, and CC&Rs decide what a specific home includes.
Source: the Redfin Data Center, San Jose by home type. Figures cover home sales from July to September 2026, a rolling three-month period, by home type. Updated monthly; last updated October 20, 2026. Population from the 2020 U.S. Census where shown. School districts from the districts. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Confirm school assignments for any address with the district.
What you own
The label on a listing does not settle it. Some homes that look like townhouses are legally condos, and some condos are in two-story buildings with private entries. The title report, the subdivision map, and the CC&Rs say what you would own.
This matters for repairs, insurance, and lending. Ask for those documents early, before you write an offer.
HOA dues and reserves
Both usually come with HOA dues. Condo dues often run higher because the association maintains more of the building and carries the master insurance policy.
Read the HOA budget, the reserve study, the meeting minutes, and any notice of special assessments or lawsuits. A low monthly due with thin reserves can cost more over time than a higher due with a funded reserve.
Which one fits
A condo may fit if you want
- A lower price: a median of $634,935, against $960,011
- Exterior maintenance handled by the HOA
- A home in a downtown high-rise or near the North San Jose tech campuses
- More homes for sale relative to sales (3.6 months of supply), which gives buyers more room to negotiate
A townhouse may fit if you want
- No neighbors above or below
- Ownership of the land under your unit, in many communities
- Faster resale: a median of 24 days on the market, against 42
This page compares homes and market data. It is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.
Sold by Sean's team
13 homes condos and townhouses in San Jose, $8,342,936
$705,000
455 Navaro Way #201
San Jose, CA 95134
$900,000
5446 Colony Field Dr
San Jose, CA 95123
$801,030
520 N 4th St
San Jose, CA 95112
$1,160,000
419 Galleria Dr #6
San Jose, CA 95134
$650,000
1114 Niguel Ln
San Jose, CA 95138
$740,000
1445 Fruitdale Ave #209
San Jose, CA 95128
$528,000
5427 Sanchez Dr
San Jose, CA 95123
$460,000
5447 Sanchez Dr
San Jose, CA 95123
$650,018
3079 Dunham Way
San Jose, CA 95125
$409,000
5451 Sanchez Dr
San Jose, CA 95123
$375,000
5427 Sanchez Dr #17
San Jose, CA 95123
$505,000
473 Mill River Ln
San Jose, CA 95134
FAQs
Are condos or townhouses cheaper in San Jose?
Condos. From July to September 2026, the median condo in San Jose sold for $634,935 and the median townhouse for $960,011, according to Redfin. The single-family median was $1,620,854.
Do condos or townhouses sell faster in San Jose?
From July to September 2026, San Jose condos spent a median of 42 days on the market and townhouses 24 days. 19.7% of condos and 49.0% of townhouses sold above list price.
What is the difference between a condo and a townhouse?
A condo is a form of ownership: you own the space inside your unit and share the building and land with other owners through the HOA. A townhouse is a building style: a multi-story home that shares side walls, where you often own the land under the unit. Some townhouses are legally condos, so check the title report and CC&Rs.
Do townhouses in San Jose have HOA dues?
Most do. Townhouse communities usually have an HOA for common areas, and some also cover roofs and exteriors. Condo dues are often higher because the HOA maintains more of the building and carries the master insurance policy.
Who can help me compare homes in San Jose?
Sean Rossiter is a Senior Premier Agent at Redfin based in Mountain View, California DRE #02105207. Call or text 650-400-0686 or email sean@seanrossiter.com.
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