Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 46% more expensive than Atlanta. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,980/mo in Atlanta.

Rent in Atlanta vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,017 (64%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,322 (80%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,616 (88%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,272 (103%) higher than Atlanta

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $68,184 (75%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $17,761 (32%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $15,580 (25%) higher than Atlanta

Home values in Atlanta vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $951,600 (221%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $5,919 (154%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Atlanta vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose is $4 (2%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose is $8 (19%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose is $144 (6%) higher than Atlanta

Healthcare in Atlanta vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta and San Jose are about the same

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta and San Jose are about the same

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Atlanta is 5.7% (142%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Atlanta vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 7.8% (142%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 3.3% (81%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose is 1.5% (20%) higher than Atlanta

Transportation in Atlanta vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Atlanta is 1.0 min (4%) higher than San Jose

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 2.8% (5%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Atlanta is 1.7% (63%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,843 (46%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $3,714 (68%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $4,441 (56%) higher than Atlanta

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and San Jose.

Is Atlanta or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 46%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,322 (80%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Atlanta and San Jose

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

Atlanta 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.