Side-by-side comparison

Phoenix vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Phoenix, Arizona and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 58% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Phoenix vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,078 (70%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,296 (77%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,496 (77%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $1,853 (71%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Phoenix vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $74,156 (87%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $27,390 (59%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $32,808 (74%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Phoenix vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $968,100 (233%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $7,801 (397%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Phoenix vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Phoenix vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix and San Jose are about the same

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix and San Jose are about the same

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Phoenix is 6.7% (167%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Phoenix vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Phoenix vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

San Jose is 0.9 min (3%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Phoenix is 4.9% (8%) higher than San Jose

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 1.4% (108%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Phoenix vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,129 (58%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $3,918 (74%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $4,332 (53%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Phoenix and San Jose.

Is Phoenix or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 58%.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,679/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,296 (77%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Phoenix or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Phoenix and San Jose

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

Phoenix 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.