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Los Angeles vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Los Angeles, California and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 41% more expensive than Los Angeles. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,135/mo in Los Angeles.

Rent in Los Angeles vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
San Jose · Studio
$2,608
San Jose is $752 (41%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
San Jose · 1 bedroom
$2,975
San Jose is $894 (43%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
San Jose · 2 bedroom
$3,446
San Jose is $821 (31%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
San Jose · 3 bedroom
$4,477
San Jose is $1,142 (34%) higher than Los Angeles

Income & earnings in Los Angeles vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
San Jose · Household income
$159,674
San Jose is $71,914 (82%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
San Jose · Individual earnings
$74,030
San Jose is $30,553 (70%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
San Jose · Per capita
$77,018
San Jose is $32,699 (74%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Los Angeles vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
San Jose · Average home value
$1,382,800
San Jose is $599,500 (77%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
San Jose · Annual property tax
$9,766
San Jose is $4,328 (80%) higher than Los Angeles

Energy in Los Angeles vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
San Jose · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
San Jose · Monthly gas
$50
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
San Jose · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same

Healthcare in Los Angeles vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
San Jose · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
San Jose · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
San Jose · Uninsured rate
4.0%
Los Angeles is 4.7% (117%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Los Angeles vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
San Jose · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
San Jose · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
San Jose · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles and San Jose are about the same

Transportation in Los Angeles vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
San Jose · Average commute
27.0 min
Los Angeles is 3.8 min (14%) higher than San Jose
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
San Jose · Drive alone
61.7%
Los Angeles is 4.7% (8%) higher than San Jose
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
San Jose · Public transit
2.7%
Los Angeles is 1.5% (56%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Los Angeles vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
San Jose · Single person
$5,823
San Jose is $1,688 (41%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
San Jose · Couple
$9,192
San Jose is $2,858 (45%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
San Jose · Family
$12,430
San Jose is $3,179 (34%) higher than Los Angeles

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Los Angeles and San Jose.

Is Los Angeles or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 41%.

What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Los Angeles, California is $2,081/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $894 (43%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Los Angeles or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Los Angeles and San Jose

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

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.