Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Arlington, TX (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

San Jose is 167% more expensive than Arlington.

$2,617/mo ↑ 88%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 47%
$141,565/yr ↑ 93%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 48%
$1,187,800 ↑ 330%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 77%
$2,775/mo ↑ 95%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 49%
990,054
Population
394,769

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,228/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $14,736/year.

Median household income is $68,046/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Arlington — common questions

Is San Jose or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Arlington?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $1,228/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Arlington?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $68,046/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Arlington details →

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