Route comparison
Los Angeles, CA vs San Jose, CA: Cost of Living
Compare the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and San Jose, CA. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.
Los Angeles, CA
CA
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 113.1
- Housing RPP
- 177
- Goods RPP
- 106.3
- 2-BR median rent
- $2,544/mo
California income tax 1%-13.3%. No city income tax.
San Jose, CA
CA
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 115.3
- Housing RPP
- 233.3
- Goods RPP
- 108.9
- 2-BR median rent
- $3,132/mo
California income tax 1%-13.3%. No city income tax.
Equivalent salary
San Jose, CA is more expensive than Los Angeles, CA by about 1.9% (RPP 113.1 to 115.3).
$60,000 in Los Angeles, CA
-> $61,167
in San Jose, CA
$100,000 in Los Angeles, CA
-> $101,945
in San Jose, CA
$150,000 in Los Angeles, CA
-> $152,918
in San Jose, CA
This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.
Migration signal: Los Angeles, CA vs San Jose, CA
IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022Los Angeles, CA
- Net people
- −147,289
- Net rank
- #64 of 65
- Top origin share
- 9%
- Top destination share
- 11%
Largest source: San Bernardino County, CA. Largest destination: San Bernardino County, CA.
San Jose, CA
- Net people
- −32,710
- Net rank
- #59 of 65
- Top origin share
- 12%
- Top destination share
- 13%
Largest source: Alameda County, CA. Largest destination: Alameda County, CA.
Rent delta: San Jose, CA is $588/mo higher for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Los Angeles, CA. Housing RPP moves from 177 to 233.3.
Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.
Frequently asked questions
- Is San Jose, CA cheaper or more expensive than Los Angeles, CA?
- San Jose, CA (RPP 115.3) is more expensive than Los Angeles, CA (RPP 113.1) by about 1.9%.
- What salary do I need in San Jose, CA if I earn $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?
- You would need approximately $101,945 in San Jose, CA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA. Formula: $100,000 x (115.3 / 113.1).
- Which metro had stronger net migration, Los Angeles, CA or San Jose, CA?
- For 2021-2022, Los Angeles, CA had a net loss of 147,289 people, while San Jose, CA had a net loss of 32,710 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.