San Jose, CA vs Los Angeles, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Los Angeles, CA is 2.8% more expensive than San Jose, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in San Jose works out to about $77,100 in Los Angeles, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 1.4% higher and other services 4.1% higher in Los Angeles, while housing is 19.6% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $2,929 a month in Los Angeles and $3,812 in San Jose, $10,596 a year less in Los Angeles (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $950,000 in Los Angeles and $1,524,000 in San Jose.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.7%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between San Jose and Los Angeles
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
All items San Jose, CA: 110.4 Los Angeles, CA: 113.6
Goods San Jose, CA: 105.2 Los Angeles, CA: 106.6
Housing (rents) San Jose, CA: 211.9 Los Angeles, CA: 170.4
Utilities San Jose, CA: 156.7 Los Angeles, CA: 158.6
Other services San Jose, CA: 100.3 Los Angeles, CA: 104.4
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 110.4 | 113.6 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 106.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 211.9 | 170.4 |
| Utilities | 156.7 | 158.6 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 104.4 |
| Category | San Jose | Los Angeles | Los Angeles vs San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 110.4 | 113.6 | +2.8% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 106.6 | +1.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 211.9 | 170.4 | −19.6% |
| Utilities | 156.7 | 158.6 | +1.2% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 104.4 | +4.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $3,812 | $2,929 | −23.2% |
| Typical home value | $1,524,000 | $950,000 | −37.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in San Jose | $75,000 | $77,100 | +2.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between San Jose and Los Angeles has narrowed since 2008: 6.0 points then, 3.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 119.3 | 113.3 |
| 2009 | 115.9 | 112.2 |
| 2010 | 114.0 | 112.5 |
| 2011 | 112.7 | 111.5 |
| 2012 | 113.4 | 112.1 |
| 2013 | 114.1 | 112.4 |
| 2014 | 115.6 | 112.2 |
| 2015 | 117.2 | 113.3 |
| 2016 | 117.7 | 111.3 |
| 2017 | 122.9 | 110.2 |
| 2018 | 114.5 | 111.0 |
| 2019 | 112.9 | 110.9 |
| 2020 | 113.5 | 113.9 |
| 2021 | 111.6 | 114.2 |
| 2022 | 115.3 | 113.3 |
| 2023 | 113.1 | 114.7 |
| 2024 | 110.4 | 113.6 |
Goods
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 117.4 | 108.0 |
| 2009 | 109.8 | 103.1 |
| 2010 | 106.8 | 104.0 |
| 2011 | 105.4 | 105.1 |
| 2012 | 107.8 | 104.4 |
| 2013 | 109.6 | 104.4 |
| 2014 | 108.6 | 106.2 |
| 2015 | 111.2 | 108.1 |
| 2016 | 111.1 | 107.8 |
| 2017 | 113.8 | 102.5 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 103.6 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 105.9 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 106.5 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 108.9 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 106.5 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 107.1 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 106.6 |
Housing (rents)
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 204.3 | 183.8 |
| 2009 | 207.9 | 183.2 |
| 2010 | 199.2 | 180.0 |
| 2011 | 209.4 | 178.3 |
| 2012 | 211.4 | 178.4 |
| 2013 | 217.7 | 176.7 |
| 2014 | 229.9 | 178.5 |
| 2015 | 236.1 | 177.2 |
| 2016 | 239.0 | 178.5 |
| 2017 | 243.3 | 178.4 |
| 2018 | 246.7 | 180.5 |
| 2019 | 239.7 | 183.4 |
| 2020 | 245.5 | 183.6 |
| 2021 | 241.3 | 181.5 |
| 2022 | 233.2 | 176.9 |
| 2023 | 213.0 | 173.0 |
| 2024 | 211.9 | 170.4 |
Utilities
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.0 | 118.2 |
| 2009 | 115.1 | 119.5 |
| 2010 | 118.0 | 119.3 |
| 2011 | 113.0 | 114.5 |
| 2012 | 110.2 | 116.2 |
| 2013 | 129.2 | 117.9 |
| 2014 | 133.6 | 127.7 |
| 2015 | 140.9 | 125.1 |
| 2016 | 144.7 | 125.2 |
| 2017 | 151.6 | 127.1 |
| 2018 | 120.5 | 107.9 |
| 2019 | 128.4 | 112.9 |
| 2020 | 130.7 | 117.6 |
| 2021 | 140.8 | 132.3 |
| 2022 | 145.0 | 149.1 |
| 2023 | 137.9 | 140.7 |
| 2024 | 156.7 | 158.6 |
Other services
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.9 | 101.9 |
| 2009 | 103.9 | 102.0 |
| 2010 | 104.0 | 102.5 |
| 2011 | 102.6 | 101.1 |
| 2012 | 102.1 | 102.6 |
| 2013 | 101.5 | 103.2 |
| 2014 | 103.1 | 101.8 |
| 2015 | 104.2 | 103.0 |
| 2016 | 104.7 | 99.9 |
| 2017 | 110.8 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 101.8 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 102.7 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 102.9 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.7 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 106.1 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 104.4 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,929 in Los Angeles vs $3,812 in San Jose
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $2,555 | $1,768 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $2,704 | $1,809 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $2,746 | $1,843 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $2,727 | $1,858 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,760 | $1,888 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,816 | $1,925 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,780 | $1,948 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,729 | $1,955 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,797 | $2,007 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,878 | $2,042 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,883 | $2,062 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,853 | $2,071 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,915 | $2,104 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,974 | $2,132 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,983 | $2,155 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,952 | $2,171 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,983 | $2,190 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $3,045 | $2,222 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $3,051 | $2,239 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $3,031 | $2,246 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $3,061 | $2,260 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $3,015 | $2,236 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,907 | $2,236 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,801 | $2,238 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,802 | $2,275 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,916 | $2,338 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $3,027 | $2,468 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $3,013 | $2,523 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $3,096 | $2,591 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $3,229 | $2,668 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $3,283 | $2,706 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $3,195 | $2,689 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $3,225 | $2,706 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $3,274 | $2,733 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $3,282 | $2,759 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $3,208 | $2,742 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $3,288 | $2,766 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $3,370 | $2,796 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $3,398 | $2,819 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $3,350 | $2,805 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $3,410 | $2,865 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $3,485 | $2,871 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $3,519 | $2,878 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $3,509 | $2,866 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $3,570 | $2,890 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,700 | $2,916 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $3,812 | $2,929 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $950,000 in Los Angeles vs $1,524,000 in San Jose
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $780K | $507K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $790K | $509K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $827K | $505K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $865K | $495K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $888K | $518K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $877K | $538K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $846K | $528K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $837K | $524K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $873K | $557K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $906K | $578K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $901K | $579K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $917K | $591K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $1.01M | $613K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $1.12M | $627K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $1.17M | $644K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $1.18M | $660K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $1.13M | $643K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $1.08M | $635K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $1.08M | $645K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $1.09M | $664K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $1.11M | $669K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $1.1M | $666K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $1.11M | $682K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $1.18M | $723K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $1.22M | $741K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $1.27M | $769K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $1.31M | $797K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $1.35M | $822K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $1.47M | $864K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $1.52M | $897K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | – | $890K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $1.4M | $878K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $1.35M | $849K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $1.35M | $858K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $1.42M | $896K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $1.47M | $922K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $1.47M | $918K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $1.51M | $931K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $1.55M | $947K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $1.59M | $961K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $1.58M | $954K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $1.53M | $941K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $1.52M | $938K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $1.56M | $948K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $1.55M | $951K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $1.52M | $947K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $1.52M | $950K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in San Jose, CA
- Cost of living in Los Angeles, CA
- Reverse: moving from Los Angeles to San Jose
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.