San Jose vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Jose, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
San Jose, CA
COL Index
214
Monthly Budget
$10,700
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.0M
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
San Jose is 29% more expensive than Los Angeles
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Jose | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $4,472 | $3,283 | +$1,189 |
| Groceries | $1,243 | $993 | +$250 |
| Transport | $1,621 | $1,275 | +$346 |
| Healthcare | $719 | $585 | +$134 |
| Utilities | $642 | $498 | +$144 |
| Other | $2,294 | $1,834 | +$460 |
| Total | $10,700 | $8,300 | +$2,400 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Jose (CA) | Los Angeles (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 Jose salary is worth in Los Angeles (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Jose Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles | Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $38,785 | $50,000 | $64,458 |
| $75,000 | $58,178 | $75,000 | $96,687 |
| $100,000 | $77,570 | $100,000 | $128,916 |
| $150,000 | $116,355 | $150,000 | $193,373 |