San Jose vs Salt Lake City: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
San Jose's typical home is worth $1,149,600, 151% higher than the typical home in Salt Lake City at $458,600.
Income differs between the two: $136,010 at the median in San Jose, $72,357 in Salt Lake City.
Renters pay a median $2,526 in San Jose versus $1,254 in Salt Lake City.
Natural-hazard risk differs here: FEMA rates San Jose Very High and Salt Lake City Relatively High.
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,001,176 | 201,269 |
| Median home value | $1,149,600 | $458,600 |
| Median household income | $136,010 | $72,357 |
| Median gross rent | $2,526 | $1,254 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Very High | Relatively High |
Both home values and rent run lower in Salt Lake City, UT than in San Jose, CA, making it the more affordable of the two on housing alone.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.