San Diego vs San Jose
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Diego, CA and San Jose, CA.
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
San Jose, CA
COL Index
214
Monthly Budget
$10,700
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.0M
San Diego is 34% less expensive than San Jose
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Diego | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,135 | $4,472 | -$1,337 |
| Groceries | $962 | $1,243 | -$281 |
| Transport | $1,232 | $1,621 | -$389 |
| Healthcare | $568 | $719 | -$151 |
| Utilities | $480 | $642 | -$162 |
| Other | $1,776 | $2,294 | -$518 |
| Total | $8,000 | $10,700 | -$2,700 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Diego (CA) | San Jose (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $5,953 | $0 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $26,773 | $0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $73,227 | $0 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Diego salary is worth in San Jose (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Diego Salary | Equivalent in San Jose | San Jose Salary | Equivalent in San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $66,875 | $50,000 | $37,383 |
| $75,000 | $100,313 | $75,000 | $56,075 |
| $100,000 | $133,750 | $100,000 | $74,766 |
| $150,000 | $200,625 | $150,000 | $112,150 |