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Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs San Jose, CA (2024)

Quick answer

Overall prices in the San Francisco, CA metro were 115.6 vs 110.4 in San Jose, CA in 2024 (US = 100), so San Francisco is 4.7% more expensive than San Jose; housing rents differ by 8% (194.7 vs 211.9). A $75,000 income in San Francisco buys about what $71,633 buys in San Jose, per BEA.

✓ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024

Price index (US = 100)San FranciscoSan JoseSan Francisco vs San Jose
All items115.6110.4+4.7%
Goods108.5105.2+3.1%
Housing (rents)194.7211.9-8.1%
Utilities172.6156.7+10.2%
Other services106.2100.3+5.9%
All items, 2008119.1119.3-0.2%
$50,000 in San Francisco equals in San Jose$47,755
$100,000 in San Francisco equals in San Jose$95,511
$150,000 in San Francisco equals in San Jose$143,266

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Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.

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