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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

San Jose is 234% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,617/mo ↑ 118%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 54%
$141,565/yr ↑ 120%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↓ 55%
$1,187,800 ↑ 514%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 84%
$2,775/mo ↑ 143%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 59%
990,054
Population
149,345

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
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,416/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $16,992/year.

Median household income is $77,295/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $193,600 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Pasadena — common questions

Is San Jose or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Pasadena?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Pasadena it's $1,201/month — a difference of $1,416/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Pasadena?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $77,295/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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,201/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

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