San Jose vs Newark: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in San Jose, California compare to Newark, New Jersey? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Newark is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 268% higher in San Jose compared to Newark, while rent is 98% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 10.75% in NJ.
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Newark, NJ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $1,149,600 | $312,300 | +268.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,526 | $1,273 | +98.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $136,010 | $46,460 | +192.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $59,913 | $24,716 | +142.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 10.8% | +23.7% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6.6% | +31.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 1,001,176 | 307,355 | +225.7% |
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 — 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.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Newark
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 San Jose costs $1,149,600 compared to $312,300 in Newark — a 268% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,526/mo in San Jose vs $1,273/mo in Newark.
- Income: Median household income is $136,010 in San Jose and $46,460 in Newark.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 10.75% in New Jersey.
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).