San Francisco vs San Jose: Cost of Living

4%

San Jose is about 4% more expensive than San Francisco overall.

How San Francisco Compares to San Jose

Category by category

Renting ▼ 8%
Buying ▲ 3%
Goods ▲ 10%
Services ▼ 6%

Key Facts

San FranciscoSan Jose
Median Rent$2,448/mo$2,674/mo
Median Home$1,314,700$1,271,200
Median Income$139,801$148,226
State Income TaxUp to 13.3%Up to 13.3%
Sales Tax8.625%9.25%

Housing: The Biggest Difference

San Jose has the lower median home price by $43,500. Monthly rent is $226/month cheaper in San Francisco.

Compare With Your Salary

Sources: Housing from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. Taxes from Tax Foundation. Full disclaimer.

San Francisco vs San Jose FAQ

Rent is $226/month cheaper in San Francisco. San Francisco's median rent is $2,448/month, while San Jose's is $2,674/month. Source: Census ACS 2024.

San Jose has the lower median home price at $1,271,200, saving $43,500 compared to San Francisco. Source: Census ACS 2024.