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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Killeen

Texas
75

San Jose is 239% more expensive than Killeen.

$2,617/mo ↑ 128%
Median Rent
$1,147/mo ↓ 56%
$141,565/yr ↑ 143%
Median Income
$58,339/yr ↓ 59%
$1,187,800 ↑ 506%
Home Value
$196,000 ↓ 83%
$2,775/mo ↑ 136%
Owner Costs
$1,176/mo ↓ 58%
990,054
Population
156,144

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
23.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Killeen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 75 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,470/month cheaper in Killeen, saving renters about $17,640/year.

Median household income is $83,226/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $196,000 in Killeen.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Killeen — common questions

Is San Jose or Killeen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Killeen is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Killeen?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Killeen it's $1,147/month — a difference of $1,470/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Killeen?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $58,339 in Killeen. Median household income is $83,226/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 Killeen?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Killeen has a cost index of 75 with rent of $1,147/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Killeen details →

More Comparisons

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