Side-by-side comparison

San Jose vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for San Jose, California and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 52% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in San Jose vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

San Jose is $1,075 (70%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

San Jose is $1,383 (87%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

San Jose is $1,683 (95%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

San Jose is $2,285 (104%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in San Jose vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

San Jose is $57,911 (57%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

San Jose is $19,318 (35%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

San Jose is $24,069 (45%) higher than Raleigh

Home values in San Jose vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

San Jose is $960,000 (227%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

San Jose is $6,743 (223%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in San Jose vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

San Jose is $20 (14%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

San Jose is $10 (25%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

San Jose is $360 (16%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in San Jose vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

San Jose and Raleigh are about the same

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose and Raleigh are about the same

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 4.2% (105%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in San Jose vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

San Jose is 8.8% (196%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

San Jose is 2.5% (53%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

San Jose is 1.8% (26%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in San Jose vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

San Jose is 1.7 min (7%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 2.7% (4%) higher than San Jose

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

San Jose is 2.0% (286%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in San Jose vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

San Jose is $1,996 (52%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

San Jose is $3,666 (66%) higher than Raleigh

San Jose · Family

$12,430

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

San Jose is $4,343 (54%) higher than Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Jose and Raleigh.

Is San Jose or Raleigh more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $5,823/mo in San Jose, California and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 52%.

What is the rent difference between San Jose and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Jose, California is $2,975/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. San Jose is approximately $1,383 (87%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Jose or Raleigh?

San Jose has the higher average household income. San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on San Jose and Raleigh

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

San Jose profile Raleigh 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.