2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Jose, CA vs Kalamazoo, MI

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Kalamazoo or is it cheaper to live in San Jose?
- Kalamazoo is 62.0% less expensive than San Jose.

Which city has more affordable housing, Kalamazoo or San Jose?
- Kalamazoo housing costs are 84.9% less expensive than San Jose housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Jose or is Health Care more affordable in Kalamazoo.
- Health related expenses are 15.1% less in Kalamazoo.
 San Jose, CAKalamazoo, MIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.7100
 Food & Groceries113.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock91.4100
 Housing428.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$193,100$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock91.5100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for San Jose    90 Reviews

I've lived in west San Jose/Cambrian, between Los Gatos and Almaden SJ since 1997. This side of town somehow avoided the erosion of the American dream. Houses are  More

   |    Reply

I lived in San Jose for 40 years. That’s during the most exciting time when the Silicon Valley was booming with real technology and San Jose was ranked as the safest big  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in San Jose, CA for 25 years. This city is being over run with crime and gangs. The cost of living is very high. Granted, you are so close to mountains,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Jose

Reviews for Kalamazoo    31 Reviews

I have lived in Kalamazoo for over 17 years. Originally from Grand Rapids, and lived in the Zeeland / Holland are for quite a while. In comparison I absolutely hate  More

   |    Reply

I moved to Kalamazoo 20 years ago from Chicago. Coming from a large city, this is a nice change once you get use to the small things like lack of ethnic culture, any  More

   |    Reply

Over 9 years ago

Hi, My husband and I are considering relocating to the Kalamazoo area for his job and I'm just starting to do some research. We have elementary-aged children so good  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Kalamazoo


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.