Is San Jose, CA cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Jose, CA is 16.0% more expensive than Los Angeles, CA. This translates to spending an extra $1199 per month.

What salary do I need in San Jose, CA to live like I do in Los Angeles, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA, you'd need approximately $164,385.459 in San Jose, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Los Angeles, CA and San Jose, CA?

Housing in San Jose, CA is 24.7% more expensive than in Los Angeles, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,445/month in San Jose, CA compared to $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Los Angeles, CA to San Jose, CA?

Living in San Jose, CA costs approximately $1199 more per month than Los Angeles, CA, or $14385 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Los Angeles, CA

Tap to swap

San Jose, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Los Angeles, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in San Jose, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.4K in San Jose, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 16.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,199

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$885K

San Jose, CA

Population:1013K

Cost Index:116

Median Home:$1.35M

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

San Jose, CA

The Golden State

1.0M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 1.0M residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Los Angeles, CA vs San Jose, CA

Category	Los Angeles, CA	San Jose, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,749/mo	$9,667/mo	↑ $1,918more	24.7%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,407/mo	↓ $751less	34.8%
🏥Healthcare	$554/mo	$706/mo	↑ $152more	27.5%
📦Other	$1,731/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $93.74more	5.4%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$464/mo	↓ $92.89less	16.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,040/mo	$1,129/mo	↑ $88.93more	8.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 24.7%

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

San Jose, CA

$9,667

Difference

$1,918

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.8%

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

San Jose, CA

$1,407

Difference

$751

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 27.5%

Los Angeles, CA

$554

San Jose, CA

$706

Difference

$152

📦Other

↑ 5.4%

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

San Jose, CA

$1,825

Difference

$93.74

⚡All Utilities

↓ 16.7%

Los Angeles, CA

$557

San Jose, CA

$464

Difference

$92.89

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.5%

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

San Jose, CA

$1,129

Difference

$88.93

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,910

To$2,590

↑ $680

1 Bed

From$2,135

To$2,950

↑ $815

2 Bed

From$2,660

To$3,445

↑ $785

3 Bed

From$3,370

To$4,550

↑ $1,180

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

San Jose, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,190–$4,060/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$15,199

Monthly in San Jose, CA

$1,409

Difference

Home Values

Los Angeles

San Jose

$885K

Median Value

$1.35M

↓ -3.4%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +13.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +35.5%

$531K - $3.01M

Price Range

$671K - $2.59M

Homes in San Jose are 52% more expensive than Los Angeles

Calculate payment - Los Angeles Calculate payment - San Jose

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

San Jose, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

San Jose, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.