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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Kent

Washington
145

San Jose is 75% more expensive than Kent.

$2,617/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,833/mo ↓ 30%
$141,565/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$90,416/yr ↓ 36%
$1,187,800 ↑ 121%
Home Value
$537,500 ↓ 55%
$2,775/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,915/mo ↓ 31%
990,054
Population
135,015

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Kent, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 145 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $784/month cheaper in Kent, saving renters about $9,408/year.

Median household income is $51,149/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $537,500 in Kent.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Kent — common questions

Is San Jose or Kent cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kent is cheaper to live in with an index of 145 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Kent?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Kent it's $1,833/month — a difference of $784/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Kent?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $90,416 in Kent. Median household income is $51,149/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 Kent?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Kent has a cost index of 145 with rent of $1,833/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Kent details →

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