Cost of Living: San Jose vs Seattle (2026)

San Jose vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 1% more expensive than San Jose overall — $100,000 in San Jose is worth about $100,643 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 1% more expensive than San Jose overall — $100,000 in San Jose is worth about $100,643 in Seattle.

San Jose vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricSan JoseSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)110111+1%
Median rent$2,617$1,998-24%
Median home value$1,187,800$912,100-23%
Median household income$141,565$121,984-14%

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 Jose has the same buying power as about $100,643 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $99,361 in San Jose.

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

Compare any salary: San Jose vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 110 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in San Jose.

About $100,643 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Jose.