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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Midland

Texas
99

San Jose is 157% more expensive than Midland.

$2,617/mo ↑ 86%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 46%
$141,565/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↓ 36%
$1,187,800 ↑ 298%
Home Value
$298,600 ↓ 75%
$2,775/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↓ 47%
990,054
Population
133,998

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
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,210/month cheaper in Midland, saving renters about $14,520/year.

Median household income is $50,396/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Midland — common questions

Is San Jose or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Midland is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Midland?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $1,210/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Midland?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $50,396/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 Midland?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Midland details →

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