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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Pearland

Texas
121

San Jose is 110% more expensive than Pearland.

$2,617/mo ↑ 49%
Median Rent
$1,759/mo ↓ 33%
$141,565/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$112,470/yr ↓ 21%
$1,187,800 ↑ 259%
Home Value
$330,900 ↓ 72%
$2,775/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,962/mo ↓ 29%
990,054
Population
125,983

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
18.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Pearland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 121 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $858/month cheaper in Pearland, saving renters about $10,296/year.

Median household income is $29,095/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $330,900 in Pearland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Pearland — common questions

Is San Jose or Pearland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pearland is cheaper to live in with an index of 121 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Pearland?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Pearland it's $1,759/month — a difference of $858/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Pearland?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $112,470 in Pearland. Median household income is $29,095/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 Pearland?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Pearland has a cost index of 121 with rent of $1,759/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Pearland details →

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