Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
San Jose
38.1
San Jose +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 38.1 | San Jose + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 74.8% | 29.0% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.0% | 2.9% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
San Jose
$63,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
San Jose
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $63,253 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 4.7% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 7.8% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 46.5% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $1,452,609 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 56.0% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
San Jose
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
San Jose
9.4%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.1% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 14.9% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.1% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.4% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 30.4 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, 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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