CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs San Jose, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent

Midland is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 15.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $92,200 in San Jose. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+108.8%
Midland
101.5
San Jose
211.9
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Midland
93.8
San Jose
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Midland
101.1
San Jose
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Midland
91.4
San Jose
95.3
Utilities+88.3%
Midland
83.2
San Jose
156.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Jose, CA
$92,200
$12,200 more needed in San Jose

Formula: salary × (110.4 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.1524. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

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 108.8% higher housing costs compared to Midland.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.