Cost of Living: San Diego vs San Jose (2026)

San Diego vs San Jose cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Jose is about 1% less expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $98,692 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 1% less expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $98,692 in San Jose.

San Diego vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricSan DiegoSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)112110-1%
Median rent$2,223$2,617+18%
Median home value$848,500$1,187,800+40%
Median household income$104,321$141,565+36%

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 San Diego has the same buying power as about $98,692 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $101,326 in San Diego.

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

Compare any salary: San Diego vs San Jose

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 112 vs 110 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in San Jose.

About $98,692 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Diego.