Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Seattle, WA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Seattle

Washington
196

San Jose is 30% more expensive than Seattle.

$2,617/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,998/mo ↓ 24%
$141,565/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$121,984/yr ↓ 14%
$1,187,800 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$912,100 ↓ 23%
$2,775/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$2,220/mo ↓ 20%
990,054
Population
741,440

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Seattle, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 196 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $619/month cheaper in Seattle, saving renters about $7,428/year.

Median household income is $19,581/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $912,100 in Seattle.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Seattle — common questions

Is San Jose or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Seattle is cheaper to live in with an index of 196 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Seattle?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Seattle it's $1,998/month — a difference of $619/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Seattle?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $121,984 in Seattle. Median household income is $19,581/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Seattle?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Seattle has a cost index of 196 with rent of $1,998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Seattle details →

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