Henderson vs San Jose: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Henderson, Nevada compare to San Jose, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Henderson is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 63% lower in Henderson compared to San Jose, while rent is 35% lower. NV has no state income tax.
| Metric | Henderson, NV | San Jose, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $427,900 | $1,149,600 | -62.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,641 | $2,526 | -35.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $85,311 | $136,010 | -37.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,882 | $59,913 | -21.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 13.3% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 8.7% | -5.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 318,063 | 1,001,176 | -68.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Henderson
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Jose
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Henderson costs $427,900 compared to $1,149,600 in San Jose — a 63% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,641/mo in Henderson vs $2,526/mo in San Jose.
- Income: Median household income is $85,311 in Henderson and $136,010 in San Jose.
- Taxes: Nevada has no state income tax, while California has a 13.3% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).