Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Cambridge, MA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239

San Jose is 6% more expensive than Cambridge.

$2,617/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$2,742/mo ↑ 5%
$141,565/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$126,469/yr ↓ 11%
$1,187,800 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$1,040,500 ↓ 12%
$2,775/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$2,634/mo ↓ 5%
990,054
Population
117,794

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Cambridge, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 239 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $125/month cheaper in San Jose, saving renters about $1,500/year.

Median household income is $15,096/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $1,040,500 in Cambridge.

Massachusetts has a lower income tax rate, making Cambridge slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Cambridge — common questions

Is San Jose or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cambridge is cheaper to live in with an index of 239 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Cambridge?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Cambridge it's $2,742/month — a difference of $125/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Cambridge?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $126,469 in Cambridge. Median household income is $15,096/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Massachusetts?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Cambridge?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with rent of $2,742/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Cambridge details →

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