Route comparison
San Jose, CA vs Fresno, CA: Cost of Living
Compare the cost of living between San Jose, CA and Fresno, CA. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.
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.
Fresno, CA
CA
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 105.2
- Housing RPP
- 96.3
- Goods RPP
- 108.9
- 2-BR median rent
- $1,443/mo
California income tax 1%-13.3%.
Equivalent salary
Fresno, CA is cheaper than San Jose, CA by about 8.8% (RPP 115.3 to 105.2).
$60,000 in San Jose, CA
-> $54,744
in Fresno, CA
$100,000 in San Jose, CA
-> $91,240
in Fresno, CA
$150,000 in San Jose, CA
-> $136,860
in Fresno, 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: San Jose, CA vs Fresno, CA
IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022San 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.
Fresno, CA
- Net people
- −2,495
- Net rank
- #37 of 65
- Top origin share
- 8%
- Top destination share
- 7%
Largest source: Tulare County, CA. Largest destination: Tulare County, CA.
Rent delta: Fresno, CA is $1,689/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than San Jose, CA. Housing RPP moves from 233.3 to 96.3.
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 Fresno, CA cheaper or more expensive than San Jose, CA?
- Fresno, CA (RPP 105.2) is cheaper than San Jose, CA (RPP 115.3) by about 8.8%.
- What salary do I need in Fresno, CA if I earn $100,000 in San Jose, CA?
- You would need approximately $91,240 in Fresno, CA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Jose, CA. Formula: $100,000 x (105.2 / 115.3).
- Which metro had stronger net migration, San Jose, CA or Fresno, CA?
- For 2021-2022, San Jose, CA had a net loss of 32,710 people, while Fresno, CA had a net loss of 2,495 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.