Side-by-side comparison

San Diego vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for San Diego, California and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 29% more expensive than San Diego. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,511/mo in San Diego.

Rent in San Diego vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $463 (22%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $647 (28%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $565 (20%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $625 (16%) higher than San Diego

Income & earnings in San Diego vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $57,389 (56%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $24,478 (49%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $27,127 (54%) higher than San Diego

Home values in San Diego vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $591,200 (75%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $4,224 (76%) higher than San Diego

Energy in San Diego vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

Healthcare in San Diego vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

San Diego is 2.8% (70%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in San Diego vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego and San Jose are about the same

Transportation in San Diego vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

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

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Diego is 5.9% (10%) higher than San Jose

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 0.5% (23%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in San Diego vs San Jose

All categories combined.

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,312 (29%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $2,251 (32%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $2,311 (23%) higher than San Diego

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Diego and San Jose.

Is San Diego or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,511/mo in San Diego, California and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 29%.

What is the rent difference between San Diego and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Diego, California is $2,328/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $647 (28%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Diego or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on San Diego and San Jose

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

San Diego 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.