Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Raleigh, NC (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Raleigh

North Carolina
110

San Jose is 131% more expensive than Raleigh.

$2,617/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$1,468/mo ↓ 44%
$141,565/yr ↑ 72%
Median Income
$82,424/yr ↓ 42%
$1,187,800 ↑ 214%
Home Value
$377,800 ↓ 68%
$2,775/mo ↑ 87%
Owner Costs
$1,487/mo ↓ 46%
990,054
Population
470,763

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Raleigh, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 110 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,149/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $13,788/year.

Median household income is $59,141/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $377,800 in Raleigh.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Raleigh slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Raleigh — common questions

Is San Jose or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Raleigh?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Raleigh it's $1,468/month — a difference of $1,149/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Raleigh?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $82,424 in Raleigh. Median household income is $59,141/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with rent of $1,468/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Raleigh details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Raleigh

San Jose vs. Dallas San Jose vs. Austin San Jose vs. San Diego San Jose vs. Jacksonville San Jose vs. San Antonio San Jose vs. Fort Worth Raleigh vs. Colorado Springs Raleigh vs. Long Beach Raleigh vs. Omaha Raleigh vs. Virginia Beach Raleigh vs. Atlanta Raleigh vs. Miami