Is San Jose, CA cheaper than Seattle, WA?

Based on cost of living data, San Jose, CA is 16.9% more expensive than Seattle, WA. This translates to spending an extra $1265 per month.

What salary do I need in San Jose, CA to live like I do in Seattle, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Seattle, WA, you'd need approximately $165,174.419 in San Jose, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Seattle, WA and San Jose, CA?

Housing in San Jose, CA is 28.3% more expensive than in Seattle, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,445/month in San Jose, CA compared to $2,630/month in Seattle, WA.

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

Living in San Jose, CA costs approximately $1265 more per month than Seattle, WA, or $15174 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Seattle, WA

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San Jose, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Seattle, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in San Jose, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.2K in San Jose, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↑ 16.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,265

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.2K

Per year

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

Seattle, WA

Population:749K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$808K

San Jose, CA

Population:1013K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$1.35M

Seattle, WA

The Evergreen State

749K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Coffee culture birthplace
•Major tech center
•Pacific Northwest gateway

Major Industries

TechnologyAerospaceMaritime TradeCoffee Industry

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: Seattle, WA vs San Jose, CA

Category	Seattle, WA	San Jose, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,536/mo	$9,667/mo	↑ $2,131more	28.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,899/mo	$1,407/mo	↓ $492less	25.9%
📦Other	$1,975/mo	$1,825/mo	↓ $151less	7.6%
🏥Healthcare	$824/mo	$706/mo	↓ $118less	14.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,129/mo	↑ $49.96more	4.6%
⚡All Utilities	$481/mo	$464/mo	↓ $16.39less	3.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 28.3%

Seattle, WA

$7,536

San Jose, CA

$9,667

Difference

$2,131

🚗Transportation

↓ 25.9%

Seattle, WA

$1,899

San Jose, CA

$1,407

Difference

$492

less

📦Other

↓ 7.6%

Seattle, WA

$1,975

San Jose, CA

$1,825

Difference

$151

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.3%

Seattle, WA

$824

San Jose, CA

$706

Difference

$118

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.6%

Seattle, WA

$1,079

San Jose, CA

$1,129

Difference

$49.96

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.4%

Seattle, WA

$481

San Jose, CA

$464

Difference

$16.39

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,180

To$2,590

↑ $410

1 Bed

From$2,260

To$2,950

↑ $690

2 Bed

From$2,630

To$3,445

↑ $815

3 Bed

From$3,440

To$4,550

↑ $1,110

Seattle, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,900–$3,210/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.

$13,794

Monthly in Seattle, WA

$15,199

Monthly in San Jose, CA

$1,404

Difference

Home Values

Seattle

San Jose

$808K

Median Value

$1.35M

↓ -2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +12.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +35.5%

$433K - $1.34M

Price Range

$671K - $2.59M

Homes in San Jose are 67% more expensive than Seattle

Calculate payment - Seattle Calculate payment - San Jose

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Seattle, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Seattle, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.