Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 83% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,382 (113%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,696 (133%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,917 (125%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,439 (120%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $86,570 (118%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $32,292 (77%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $37,040 (93%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $1,127,800 (442%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $5,384 (123%) higher than Houston

Energy in Houston vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston and San Jose are about the same

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Houston vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Houston and San Jose are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and San Jose are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Houston is 17.2% (430%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Houston vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 13.3% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Houston is 2.0 min (7%) higher than San Jose

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Houston is 10.7% (17%) higher than San Jose

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 0.6% (29%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,638 (83%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $4,656 (103%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $5,243 (73%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and San Jose.

Is Houston or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 83%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,696 (133%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Houston and San Jose

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

Houston 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.