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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Fresno

California
101

San Jose is 151% more expensive than Fresno.

$2,617/mo ↑ 98%
Median Rent
$1,324/mo ↓ 49%
$141,565/yr ↑ 112%
Median Income
$66,804/yr ↓ 53%
$1,187,800 ↑ 241%
Home Value
$348,500 ↓ 71%
$2,775/mo ↑ 99%
Owner Costs
$1,391/mo ↓ 50%
990,054
Population
543,615

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Fresno, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 101 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,293/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $15,516/year.

Median household income is $74,761/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $348,500 in Fresno.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Fresno — common questions

Is San Jose or Fresno cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fresno is cheaper to live in with an index of 101 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Fresno?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Fresno it's $1,324/month — a difference of $1,293/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Fresno?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $66,804 in Fresno. Median household income is $74,761/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Fresno?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Fresno has a cost index of 101 with rent of $1,324/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Fresno details →

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