Philadelphia is 8% 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
$1,814
$3,046
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,623
$2,897
💵 Families earn per year
$66,816
$157,922
🔑 Buying a house
$243,100
$1,233,200
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
102.6
110.4
🏛️ Property tax per year
$2,003
$9,393
⚡ Electric bill per month
$112
$168
👥 People living there
1,579,706
990,138
Commute to work
31.7 min
27.3 min
College degree
35.4%
47.3%
Own their home
51.8%
55.8%
Below poverty line
21.4%
8.1%
Unemployment
8.1%
5.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Philadelphia 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 | Philadelphia | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,180 | $216,740 | +114% in San Jose |
| Firefighter | $78,050 | $152,100 | +95% in San Jose |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,420 | $141,960 | +79% in San Jose |
| Lawyer | $170,660 | $301,320 | +77% in San Jose |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,700 | $231,560 | +71% in San Jose |
| Physician Assistant | $135,640 | $223,640 | +65% in San Jose |
| Software Developer | $133,040 | $213,110 | +60% in San Jose |
| Police Officer | $89,580 | $136,140 | +52% in San Jose |
Frequently asked questions
Is Philadelphia or San Jose cheaper to live in?
Philadelphia is about 8% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,814 a month there versus $3,046 in San Jose.
What salary do I need in San Jose to match $60,000 in Philadelphia?
About $64,604 a year gives the same standard of living in San Jose.
Where do people earn more, Philadelphia or San Jose?
The typical household earns $66,816 in Philadelphia and $157,922 in San Jose, 58% more in San Jose.