Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 21% more expensive than Fairfax. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,808/mo in Fairfax.

Rent in Fairfax vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $596 (30%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $919 (45%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,132 (49%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $1,584 (55%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $9,561 (6%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $2,458 (3%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $7,047 (10%) higher than Fairfax

Home values in Fairfax vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $683,100 (98%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $2,694 (38%) higher than Fairfax

Energy in Fairfax vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose is $1 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose is $180 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and San Jose are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and San Jose are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Fairfax is 3.4% (85%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Fairfax vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 7.6% (131%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 2.0% (37%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose is 3.1% (54%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Fairfax is 2.5 min (9%) higher than San Jose

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 3.8% (7%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Fairfax is 2.6% (96%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,015 (21%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $1,722 (23%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $2,219 (22%) higher than Fairfax

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and San Jose.

Is Fairfax or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 21%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $919 (45%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Fairfax and San Jose

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fairfax profile San Jose profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.