CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs San Jose, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent

Grand Junction is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 15.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $92,500 in San Jose. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+145.3%
Grand Junction
86.4
San Jose
211.9
🛒 Groceries+9.5%
Grand Junction
96.1
San Jose
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Grand Junction
104.8
San Jose
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Grand Junction
94.8
San Jose
95.3
Utilities+88.1%
Grand Junction
83.3
San Jose
156.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Jose, CA
$92,500
$12,500 more needed in San Jose

Formula: salary × (110.4 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1560. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

San Jose has 145.3% higher housing costs compared to Grand Junction.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

San Jose, CA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.