Chandler AZ vs San Jose CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chandler
278,123
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 38.1 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 62.6% | 29.0% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.9% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
San Jose
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.7% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.8% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 46.5% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $1,452,609 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 56.0% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
San Jose
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
San Jose
9.4%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 14.9% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 30.4 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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