San Jose is a premium market. In 2026, average industrial rents hover between $22 and $32 per square foot annually. While this is higher than the Inland Empire (San Bernardino/Riverside), the cost is often justified for high-value goods that require shorter transit times to Silicon Valley customers and reduced risk of damage during long-haul transit.

Oakland is superior for high-volume ocean imports and heavy industrial goods due to its massive port. San Jose is the strategic winner for tech hardware, medical devices, and high-velocity air freight. If your business relies on being close to tech R&D and specialized manufacturing, San Jose is the better choice.

Yes. San Jose is a hub for specialized transportation. Many local providers, such as Piedmont Moving Systems, offer white-glove services including inside delivery, unpacking, and technical installation for data centers, hospitals, and high-end residential clients.

Using a 3PL within FTZ #18 (San Jose area) allows you to defer or eliminate customs duties on imported components used in local manufacturing. This is a massive cash-flow advantage for tech companies that import parts from Asia for assembly or testing before shipping the final product domestically or internationally.