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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Plano

Texas
132

San Jose is 92% more expensive than Plano.

$2,617/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 32%
$141,565/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$108,649/yr ↓ 23%
$1,187,800 ↑ 170%
Home Value
$440,600 ↓ 63%
$2,775/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,829/mo ↓ 34%
990,054
Population
287,339

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
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Plano, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $825/month cheaper in Plano, saving renters about $9,900/year.

Median household income is $32,916/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $440,600 in Plano.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Plano — common questions

Is San Jose or Plano cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Plano is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Plano?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Plano it's $1,792/month — a difference of $825/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Plano?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $108,649 in Plano. Median household income is $32,916/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 Plano?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Plano has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Plano details →

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