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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

San Jose is 119% more expensive than Carrollton.

$2,617/mo ↑ 56%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 36%
$141,565/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↓ 30%
$1,187,800 ↑ 236%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 70%
$2,775/mo ↑ 64%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 39%
990,054
Population
132,741

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
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $943/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $11,316/year.

Median household income is $42,450/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Carrollton — common questions

Is San Jose or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Carrollton?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $943/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Carrollton?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $42,450/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 Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Carrollton details →

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