Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.1 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 67.7% | 29.0% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.9% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $1,452,609 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 56.0% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 30.4 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
Gresham, OR vs New York, NYGresham, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gresham, ORGresham, OR vs Houston, TXGresham, OR vs Phoenix, AZGresham, OR vs Philadelphia, PA