Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Everett, WA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Everett

Washington
137

San Jose is 85% more expensive than Everett.

$2,617/mo ↑ 56%
Median Rent
$1,675/mo ↓ 36%
$141,565/yr ↑ 74%
Median Income
$81,502/yr ↓ 42%
$1,187,800 ↑ 123%
Home Value
$532,300 ↓ 55%
$2,775/mo ↑ 60%
Owner Costs
$1,738/mo ↓ 37%
990,054
Population
111,083

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Everett, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $942/month cheaper in Everett, saving renters about $11,304/year.

Median household income is $60,063/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $532,300 in Everett.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Everett — common questions

Is San Jose or Everett cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Everett is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Everett?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Everett it's $1,675/month — a difference of $942/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Everett?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $81,502 in Everett. Median household income is $60,063/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Everett?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Everett has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,675/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Everett details →

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