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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Ventura

California
183

San Jose is 39% more expensive than Ventura.

$2,617/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$2,101/mo ↓ 20%
$141,565/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$100,407/yr ↓ 29%
$1,187,800 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$778,700 ↓ 34%
$2,775/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$2,118/mo ↓ 24%
990,054
Population
109,900

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Ventura, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 183 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $516/month cheaper in Ventura, saving renters about $6,192/year.

Median household income is $41,158/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $778,700 in Ventura.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Ventura — common questions

Is San Jose or Ventura cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Ventura is cheaper to live in with an index of 183 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Ventura?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Ventura it's $2,101/month — a difference of $516/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Ventura?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $100,407 in Ventura. Median household income is $41,158/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Ventura?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Ventura has a cost index of 183 with rent of $2,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Ventura details →

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