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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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San JosevsSeattle

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from San Jose to Seattle will save you approximately $261,420 on median home prices (33.0% less). Monthly rent is $1,089 cheaper in Seattle. Note that median income is 9.8% lower in Seattle.

Housing
33.0% cheaper
Rent
33.0% cheaper
View San JoseView Seattle
Seattle

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price$792,341
Monthly Rent$3,301
Median Income$82,922
Population1,026,919
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Destination

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$530,921-33.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,212-33.0%
Median Income
$74,820-9.8%
Population684,443
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

San Jose

2015$2,582
2020$2,697
2025$3,301

Seattle

2015$1,625
2020$1,724
2025$2,212

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Seattle.

San Jose

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$64,317

Seattle

Housing$10,040
Food$6,538
Transport$13,805
Healthcare$8,679
Total$51,246
Costs

Key Insights

33.0%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Seattle
$1,089
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
9.8%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

San Jose

Population1,026,919
Median Age36.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Seattle

Population684,443
Median Age35.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate336 per 100k
Property Crime Rate3036 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

San Jose

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Seattle

336
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
3036
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or San Jose?

Seattle is 33.0% cheaper for housing than San Jose. The median home price in Seattle is $530,921 compared to $792,341 in San Jose, a savings of $261,420.

What is the rent difference between San Jose and Seattle?

Monthly rent in Seattle averages $2,212, while San Jose averages $3,301. That's a savings of $1,089 per month, or $13,071 annually.

How do incomes compare between San Jose and Seattle?

The median household income in Seattle is $74,820, which is 9.8% lower than San Jose's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: San Jose or Seattle?

San Jose has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Seattle has 336 per 100k. Seattle is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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