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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

San Jose is 98% more expensive than Richardson.

$2,617/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 30%
$141,565/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↓ 32%
$1,187,800 ↑ 193%
Home Value
$405,600 ↓ 66%
$2,775/mo ↑ 55%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↓ 35%
990,054
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $792/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $9,504/year.

Median household income is $45,308/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Richardson — common questions

Is San Jose or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richardson is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Richardson?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $792/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Richardson?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $45,308/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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Richardson details →

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