Cost of Living: Dallas vs San Jose (2026)

Dallas vs San Jose cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Jose is about 7% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $107,113 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 7% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $107,113 in San Jose.

Dallas vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricDallasSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103110+7%
Median rent$1,403$2,617+87%
Median home value$295,300$1,187,800+302%
Median household income$67,760$141,565+109%

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 Dallas has the same buying power as about $107,113 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $93,359 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas 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 103 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Dallas.

About $107,113 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.