Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
San Jose
990,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Los Angeles +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 990,054 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.1 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 37.3% | 29.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 30.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
San Jose
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Los Angeles +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $1,452,609 | Los Angeles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
San Jose
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
San Jose
2388
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 14.9 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while los Angeles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $956,465. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. 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%.
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