City Comparison · 2026
San Jose vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in San Jose = $91k in Los Angeles
Metric
San Jose
Los Angeles
COL Index
1.94
✓1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,800/mo
✓$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$3,600/mo
✓$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
CA
CA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
$39,598
✓$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | San Jose CA | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
San Jose has a cost-of-living index of 1.94 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Los Angeles is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in San Jose is $2,800/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in San Jose vs Los Angeles?
$100k in San Jose = $91k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is lower by 9.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — San Jose or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (San Jose) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $39,598 in San Jose vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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