Cost of Living Comparison Between Los Angeles, CA and San Jose 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in San Jose is 29.2% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in San Jose is 45.0% lower than in Los Angeles, CA | |
| Rent Prices in San Jose are 67.8% lower than in Los Angeles, CA | |
| Restaurant Prices in San Jose are 39.0% lower than in Los Angeles, CA | |
| Groceries Prices in San Jose are 19.8% lower than in Los Angeles, CA | |
| Local Purchasing Power in San Jose is 50.3% lower than in Los Angeles, CA | |
Restaurants | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant |
$25.00 (₡11,362.81) |
$11.00 (₡5,000.00) |
-56.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) |
$100.00 (₡45,451.23) |
$66.00 (₡30,000.00) |
-34.0 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) |
$13.00 (₡5,908.66) |
$11.89 (₡5,402.19) |
-8.6 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) |
$8.00 (₡3,636.10) |
$2.64 (₡1,200.00) |
-67.0 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
$9.00 (₡4,090.61) |
$4.40 (₡2,000.00) |
-51.1 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) |
$5.98 (₡2,718.66) |
$4.21 (₡1,914.31) |
-29.6 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) |
$3.46 (₡1,574.56) |
$2.29 (₡1,041.15) |
-33.9 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) |
$2.67 (₡1,211.84) |
$1.77 (₡805.71) |
-33.5 % |
Markets | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) |
$1.32 (₡600.65) |
$2.33 (₡1,060.00) |
+76.5 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) |
$4.49 (₡2,039.61) |
$2.78 (₡1,265.76) |
-37.9 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) |
$2.20 (₡1,000.98) |
$1.10 (₡499.16) |
-50.1 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) |
$5.66 (₡2,571.18) |
$3.41 (₡1,550.75) |
-39.7 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$5.35 (₡2,432.78) |
$4.86 (₡2,207.75) |
-9.3 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
$7.43 (₡3,374.86) |
$4.58 (₡2,080.77) |
-38.3 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) |
$9.49 (₡4,312.95) |
$6.37 (₡2,895.70) |
-32.9 % |
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.52 (₡1,145.37) |
$2.33 (₡1,058.38) |
-7.6 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.06 (₡480.45) |
$0.77 (₡349.47) |
-27.3 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.28 (₡1,034.67) |
$2.16 (₡982.78) |
-5.0 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.32 (₡1,055.52) |
$1.83 (₡830.60) |
-21.3 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.49 (₡678.27) |
$1.79 (₡815.20) |
+20.2 % |
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.26 (₡571.99) |
$1.67 (₡758.39) |
+32.6 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) |
$2.11 (₡956.75) |
$1.10 (₡500.00) |
-47.7 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) |
$2.46 (₡1,116.59) |
$3.18 (₡1,444.41) |
+29.4 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$15.00 (₡6,817.68) |
$22.00 (₡10,000.00) |
+46.7 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) |
$2.79 (₡1,269.79) |
$2.84 (₡1,289.91) |
+1.6 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
$2.52 (₡1,143.72) |
$3.62 (₡1,645.68) |
+43.9 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) |
$11.71 (₡5,322.34) |
$5.94 (₡2,700.00) |
-49.3 % |
Transportation | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) |
$1.75 (₡795.40) |
$1.10 (₡500.00) |
-37.1 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) |
$105.00 (₡47,723.79) |
$66.00 (₡30,000.00) |
-37.1 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) |
$3.10 (₡1,408.99) |
$2.44 (₡1,110.00) |
-21.2 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) |
$2.98 (₡1,353.83) |
$2.57 (₡1,166.77) |
-13.8 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) |
$32.11 (₡14,594.39) |
$8.72 (₡3,962.50) |
-72.8 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) |
$1.34 (₡607.40) |
$1.46 (₡661.38) |
+8.9 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) |
$34,000.00 (₡15,453,418.91) |
$21,990.00 (₡9,994,725.94) |
-35.3 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) |
$26,102.74 (₡11,864,017.54) |
$35,449.80 (₡16,112,371.45) |
+35.8 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) |
$247.23 (₡112,368.22) |
$100.98 (₡45,898.79) |
-59.2 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) |
$62.95 (₡28,611.55) |
$35.91 (₡16,320.70) |
-43.0 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) |
$80.81 (₡36,730.28) |
$66.26 (₡30,116.03) |
-18.0 % |
Sports And Leisure | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership |
$57.88 (₡26,308.24) |
$69.63 (₡31,645.77) |
+20.3 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) |
$12.00 (₡5,454.15) |
$25.30 (₡11,500.00) |
+110.8 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) |
$18.00 (₡8,181.22) |
$8.80 (₡4,000.00) |
-51.1 % |
Childcare | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child |
$1,757.34 (₡798,734.39) |
$988.47 (₡449,271.04) |
-43.8 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child |
$32,155.00 (₡14,614,843.68) |
$17,147.79 (₡7,793,883.76) |
-46.7 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) |
$81.58 (₡37,078.64) |
$71.64 (₡32,563.08) |
-12.2 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) |
$69.25 (₡31,474.98) |
$56.00 (₡25,454.27) |
-19.1 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
$124.59 (₡56,626.89) |
$129.04 (₡58,648.05) |
+3.6 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes |
$197.54 (₡89,783.66) |
$132.01 (₡60,000.00) |
-33.2 % |
Rent Per Month | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
$2,636.35 (₡1,198,251.81) |
$960.93 (₡436,754.96) |
-63.6 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
$2,441.88 (₡1,109,865.62) |
$698.80 (₡317,611.84) |
-71.4 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
$5,616.59 (₡2,552,808.55) |
$1,772.21 (₡805,490.96) |
-68.4 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
$3,861.61 (₡1,755,149.83) |
$1,250.50 (₡568,367.45) |
-67.6 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
$773.33 (₡351,486.02) |
$211.91 (₡96,316.68) |
-72.6 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
$671.23 (₡305,083.36) |
$168.69 (₡76,673.62) |
-74.9 % |
Salaries And Financing | Los Angeles, CA Edit |
San Jose Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
$3,886.50 (₡1,766,462.14) |
$1,061.40 (₡482,418.11) |
-72.7 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 7.31 | 9.27 | +26.9 % |
| Last update: | 15 May 2026 | 15 May 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 212 | 38 | |
Moving to Los Angeles, CA? Explore:
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Cities near Los Angeles, CA: | Cost of Living in Glendale, California | 8.97 miles |
| Cost of Living in Alhambra, California | 9.02 miles |
| Cost of Living in Hermosa Beach, California | 20.55 miles |
| Cost of Living in Long Beach, California | 24.55 miles |
| Cost of Living in Anaheim, California | 26.50 miles |
| Cost of Living in Canoga Park, California | 27.48 miles |
| Cost of Living in Westminster, California | 31.94 miles |
| Cost of Living in Santa Ana, California | 33.48 miles |
| Cost of Living in Santa Clarita, California | 35.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Huntington Beach, California | 36.67 miles |
Cities near San Jose: | Cost of Living in San Juan | 2.95 miles |
| Cost of Living in Cartago | 38.87 miles |
| Cost of Living in Heredia | 53.21 miles |
| Cost of Living in Quesada | 57.88 miles |
| Cost of Living in Siquirres | 63.16 miles |
| Cost of Living in Perez Zeledon | 89.36 miles |
| Cost of Living in Liberia | 131.27 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tamarindo | 161.02 miles |