Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 27% more expensive than Seattle. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,588/mo in Seattle.

Rent in Seattle vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $370 (17%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $682 (30%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $775 (29%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $956 (27%) higher than Seattle

Income & earnings in Seattle vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $37,526 (31%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $6,889 (10%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $5,956 (8%) higher than Seattle

Home values in Seattle vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $571,600 (70%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $2,981 (44%) higher than Seattle

Energy in Seattle vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

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

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and San Jose are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and San Jose are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Seattle is 1.2% (30%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Seattle vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 13.3% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than San Jose

Transportation in Seattle vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Seattle is 1.1 min (4%) higher than San Jose

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 9.9% (19%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Seattle is 5.3% (196%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,235 (27%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $2,768 (43%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Family

$9,440

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $2,990 (32%) higher than Seattle

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and San Jose.

Is Seattle or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 27%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $682 (30%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Seattle and San Jose

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

Seattle 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.