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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Garland

Texas
96

San Jose is 165% more expensive than Garland.

$2,617/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$1,525/mo ↓ 42%
$141,565/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$74,717/yr ↓ 47%
$1,187,800 ↑ 377%
Home Value
$248,900 ↓ 79%
$2,775/mo ↑ 92%
Owner Costs
$1,445/mo ↓ 48%
990,054
Population
245,298

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Garland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 96 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,092/month cheaper in Garland, saving renters about $13,104/year.

Median household income is $66,848/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $248,900 in Garland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Garland — common questions

Is San Jose or Garland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Garland is cheaper to live in with an index of 96 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Garland?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Garland it's $1,525/month — a difference of $1,092/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Garland?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $74,717 in Garland. Median household income is $66,848/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 Garland?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Garland has a cost index of 96 with rent of $1,525/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Garland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Garland

San Jose vs. Dallas San Jose vs. Austin San Jose vs. San Diego San Jose vs. Jacksonville San Jose vs. San Antonio San Jose vs. Fort Worth Garland vs. Glendale Garland vs. Scottsdale Garland vs. Winston-Salem Garland vs. Boise Garland vs. Chesapeake Garland vs. Arlington