San Jose, CA vs. Seattle, WA: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of San Jose and Seattle, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,138 | 754,195 | -23.8% |
| Median household income | $146,427 | $123,860 | -15.4% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $2,669 | $2,030 | -23.9% |
| Median home value | $1,233,200 | $938,600 | -23.9% |
Difference is Seattle, WA relative to San Jose, CA.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: California 110.7, Washington 107.0, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in San Jose, CA buys about as much as $96,652 in Seattle, WA.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $106,760 | $81,200 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 21.9% | 19.7% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $534,156 | $451,833 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.