Side-by-side comparison

Philadelphia vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 72% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Philadelphia vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,236 (90%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,463 (97%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,644 (91%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,306 (106%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Philadelphia vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $98,976 (163%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $31,552 (74%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $39,349 (104%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Philadelphia vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $1,150,400 (495%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $7,814 (400%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Philadelphia vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose is $24 (17%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Philadelphia is $12 (24%) higher than San Jose

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Philadelphia vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia and San Jose are about the same

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia and San Jose are about the same

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Philadelphia is 3.2% (80%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Philadelphia vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 10.2% (333%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 1.3% (21%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose is 2.5% (40%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Philadelphia vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Philadelphia is 5.0 min (19%) higher than San Jose

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 15.0% (32%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Philadelphia is 15.2% (563%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Philadelphia vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,441 (72%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $4,632 (102%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $5,371 (76%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Philadelphia and San Jose.

Is Philadelphia or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 72%.

What is the rent difference between Philadelphia and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $1,512/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,463 (97%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Philadelphia or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Philadelphia and San Jose

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

Philadelphia 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.