Cost of Living: El Paso vs San Jose (2026)

El Paso vs San Jose cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Jose is about 23% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $122,812 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 23% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $122,812 in San Jose.

El Paso vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricEl PasoSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90110+23%
Median rent$1,041$2,617+151%
Median home value$171,700$1,187,800+592%
Median household income$58,734$141,565+141%

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 El Paso has the same buying power as about $122,812 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $81,425 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso 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 90 — a 23% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $122,812 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.