Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
San Jose
38.1
San Jose +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
San Jose
41.6%
White
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.1 | San Jose + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 41.6% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 29.0% | Miami + |
| Black | 13.7% | 2.9% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 30.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $1,452,609 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 30.4 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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