Cost of Living: San Marcos, CA vs San Jose, CA
Quick rent-and-take-home comparison
Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $3,974/mo in San Marcos, CA versus $3,974/mo in San Jose, CA. In the model, rent is about 31.92% of gross in San Marcos, CA versus 38.13% in San Jose, CA, so San Marcos, CA tends to feel more affordable for rent.
Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between San Marcos, CA and San Jose, CA.
At a glance
- Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): San Marcos, CA
- Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): San Marcos, CA
- Lower home prices: San Marcos, CA
- Higher median household income: San Jose, CA
Cost of Living Index
San Marcos, CA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · San Jose, CA: 198.5 (U.S. = 100)
San Marcos, CA has a lower cost-of-living index than San Jose, CA, so a given salary generally stretches further there.
Median Rent
San Marcos, CA: $2,082/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · San Jose, CA: $2,486/mo
Median rent in San Jose, CA is $404/mo higher than in San Marcos, CA.
Median Home Price
San Marcos, CA: $792,400 · San Jose, CA: $1,187,800
Median home price in San Jose, CA is $395,400 higher than in San Marcos, CA.
Median Household Income
San Marcos, CA: $105,286 · San Jose, CA: $141,565
San Jose, CA has a higher median household income than San Marcos, CA by $36,279.
San Marcos, CA overview · San Jose, CA overview · Popular comparisons