Cost of Living: Boston vs San Jose (2026)

Boston vs San Jose cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Jose is about 2% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $101,992 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 2% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $101,992 in San Jose.

Boston vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricBostonSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108110+2%
Median rent$2,093$2,617+25%
Median home value$710,400$1,187,800+67%
Median household income$94,755$141,565+49%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $101,992 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $98,047 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and San Jose.

Compare any salary: Boston vs San Jose

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 110 vs 108 — a 2% difference. Your money goes further in Boston.

About $101,992 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.