Cost of Living: Denver vs San Jose (2026)

Denver vs San Jose cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Jose is about 4% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $104,387 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 4% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $104,387 in San Jose.

Denver vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricDenverSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106110+4%
Median rent$1,770$2,617+48%
Median home value$586,700$1,187,800+102%
Median household income$91,681$141,565+54%

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 Denver has the same buying power as about $104,387 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $95,797 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver 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 106 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Denver.

About $104,387 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.