City cost comparison
San Francisco vs San Jose
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing San Francisco, CA against San Jose, CA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $2,200 | $1,804 | +22% cheaper in San Jose |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $2,460 | $2,214 | +11% cheaper in San Jose |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $880 | $827 | +6% cheaper in San Jose |
| FoodPer child / month | $510 | $469 | +9% cheaper in San Jose |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $124 | $113 | +10% cheaper in San Jose |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.