San Jose vs Dallas: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Jose, CA and Dallas, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Dallas, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,001,176 | 1,300,642 |
| Median household income | $136,010 | $63,985 |
| Median home value | $1,149,600 | $270,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,526 | $1,305 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Jose, CA and Dallas, TX comes down to what you value most. Dallas has the lower median home value, and Dallas 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 Jose or Dallas?
- By median home value, Dallas is the cheaper of the two ($270,700 vs $1,149,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Jose or Dallas?
- Median household income is $136,010 in San Jose versus $63,985 in Dallas, per the US Census Bureau.