San Diego vs San Jose: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Diego, CA and San Jose, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,383,987 | 1,001,176 |
| Median household income | $98,657 | $136,010 |
| Median home value | $783,300 | $1,149,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,080 | $2,526 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Diego, CA and San Jose, CA comes down to what you value most. San Diego has the lower median home value, and San Diego has the lower median rent.
San Jose has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Diego or San Jose?
- By median home value, San Diego is the cheaper of the two ($783,300 vs $1,149,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Diego or San Jose?
- Median household income is $98,657 in San Diego versus $136,010 in San Jose, per the US Census Bureau.