San Jose CA vs Temecula CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
Temecula
16.6%
White
San Jose
29.0%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
Temecula
4.3%
Temecula +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Temecula
11.5%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 110,404 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.3 | Temecula + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 16.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 2.9% | 4.3% | Temecula + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 11.5% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 28.5% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Temecula
$117,840
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Temecula
$44,826
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
Temecula
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
Temecula
39.2%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $117,840 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $44,826 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.8% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 39.2% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Temecula
$769,756
Temecula +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $769,756 | Temecula + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Temecula
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
Temecula
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, 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
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Temecula
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
Temecula
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
Temecula
9.8%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 33.0% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.6% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.9% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.8% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, 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
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 38.7 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while temecula offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $769,756. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Temecula 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
New York, NY vs San Jose, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Jose, CAChicago, IL vs San Jose, CAHouston, TX vs San Jose, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Jose, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Jose, CA