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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Waco

Texas
72

San Jose is 253% more expensive than Waco.

$2,617/mo ↑ 138%
Median Rent
$1,098/mo ↓ 58%
$141,565/yr ↑ 175%
Median Income
$51,468/yr ↓ 64%
$1,187,800 ↑ 495%
Home Value
$199,600 ↓ 83%
$2,775/mo ↑ 154%
Owner Costs
$1,094/mo ↓ 61%
990,054
Population
141,925

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Waco, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 72 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,519/month cheaper in Waco, saving renters about $18,228/year.

Median household income is $90,097/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $199,600 in Waco.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Waco — common questions

Is San Jose or Waco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waco is cheaper to live in with an index of 72 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Waco?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Waco it's $1,098/month — a difference of $1,519/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Waco?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $51,468 in Waco. Median household income is $90,097/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 Waco?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Waco has a cost index of 72 with rent of $1,098/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Waco details →

More Comparisons

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