San Jose vs San Francisco
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Jose, CA and San Francisco, CA.
San Jose, CA
COL Index
214
Monthly Budget
$10,700
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.0M
San Francisco, CA
COL Index
179
Monthly Budget
$8,950
State Tax
12.3%
Population
0.9M
San Jose is 20% more expensive than San Francisco
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Jose | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $4,472 | $3,605 | +$867 |
| Groceries | $1,243 | $1,061 | +$182 |
| Transport | $1,621 | $1,369 | +$252 |
| Healthcare | $719 | $621 | +$98 |
| Utilities | $642 | $537 | +$105 |
| Other | $2,294 | $1,958 | +$336 |
| Total | $10,700 | $8,950 | +$1,750 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Jose (CA) | San Francisco (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 San Francisco (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Jose Salary | Equivalent in San Francisco | San Francisco Salary | Equivalent in San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,822 | $50,000 | $59,777 |
| $75,000 | $62,734 | $75,000 | $89,665 |
| $100,000 | $83,645 | $100,000 | $119,553 |
| $150,000 | $125,467 | $150,000 | $179,330 |