Cost of Living: Phoenix vs San Jose (2026)

Phoenix 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 Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $106,879 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 7% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $106,879 in San Jose.

Phoenix vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricPhoenixSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103110+7%
Median rent$1,458$2,617+79%
Median home value$381,900$1,187,800+211%
Median household income$77,041$141,565+84%

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 Phoenix has the same buying power as about $106,879 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $93,564 in Phoenix.

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

Compare any salary: Phoenix 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 Phoenix.

About $106,879 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix.