Side-by-side comparison

Tucson vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 96% more expensive than Tucson. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $2,971/mo in Tucson.

Rent in Tucson vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Tucson · Studio

$941

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,667 (177%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 1 bedroom

$1,052

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,923 (183%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 2 bedroom

$1,373

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $2,073 (151%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 3 bedroom

$1,924

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,553 (133%) higher than Tucson

Income & earnings in Tucson vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Tucson · Household income

$67,929

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $91,745 (135%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Individual earnings

$37,642

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $36,388 (97%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Per capita

$38,564

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $38,454 (100%) higher than Tucson

Home values in Tucson vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Tucson · Average home value

$286,900

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $1,095,900 (382%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Annual property tax

$2,248

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $7,518 (334%) higher than Tucson

Energy in Tucson vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Tucson · Monthly electricity

$150

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Tucson · Monthly gas

$39

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

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

Tucson · Annual total

$2,268

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Tucson vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Tucson · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Tucson and San Jose are about the same

Tucson · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Tucson and San Jose are about the same

Tucson · Uninsured rate

8.9%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Tucson is 4.9% (123%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Tucson vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Tucson · State income tax

2.5%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

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

Tucson · State sales tax

5.6%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Tucson · Combined sales tax

8.4%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

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

Transportation in Tucson vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Tucson · Average commute

24.4 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

San Jose is 2.6 min (11%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Drive alone

70.7%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Tucson is 9.0% (15%) higher than San Jose

Tucson · Public transit

1.6%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 1.1% (69%) higher than Tucson

Monthly cost estimates in Tucson vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Tucson · Single person

$2,971

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,852 (96%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Couple

$4,443

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $4,749 (107%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Family

$7,144

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $5,286 (74%) higher than Tucson

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Tucson and San Jose.

Is Tucson or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $2,971/mo in Tucson, Arizona and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 96%.

What is the rent difference between Tucson and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Tucson, Arizona is $1,052/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,923 (183%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Tucson or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Tucson households earn approximately $67,929 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Tucson and San Jose

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

Tucson 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.