salarySan Jose is 3% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in San Jose to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$2,498
$3,046
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$2,339
$2,897
💵 Families earn per year
$88,371
$157,922
🔑 Buying a house
$921,200
$1,233,200
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
113.6
110.4
🏛️ Property tax per year
$6,050
$9,393
⚡ Electric bill per month
$151
$168
👥 People living there
3,857,263
990,138
Commute to work
30.7 min
27.3 min
College degree
38.5%
47.3%
Own their home
36%
55.8%
Below poverty line
16.5%
8.1%
Unemployment
8.2%
5.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Los Angeles for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes.
- Pick San Jose for higher incomes, shorter commutes, a more educated workforce and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Los Angeles | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | $141,960 | +71% in San Jose |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | $216,740 | +60% in San Jose |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | $152,100 | +55% in San Jose |
| Lawyer | $194,410 | $301,320 | +55% in San Jose |
| Plumber | $71,110 | $107,560 | +51% in San Jose |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | $231,560 | +43% in San Jose |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | $223,640 | +38% in San Jose |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | $213,110 | +32% in San Jose |
Frequently asked questions
Is Los Angeles or San Jose cheaper to live in?
San Jose is about 3% cheaper overall. Rent is $3,046 a month there versus $2,498 in Los Angeles.
What salary do I need in San Jose to match $60,000 in Los Angeles?
About $58,339 a year gives the same standard of living in San Jose.
Where do people earn more, Los Angeles or San Jose?
The typical household earns $88,371 in Los Angeles and $157,922 in San Jose, 44% more in San Jose.