2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Jose, CA vs Scotts Valley, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Scotts Valley or is it cheaper to live in San Jose?
- Scotts Valley is 19.5% less expensive than San Jose.

Which city has more affordable housing, Scotts Valley or San Jose?
- Scotts Valley housing costs are 6.2% less expensive than San Jose housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Jose or is Health Care more affordable in Scotts Valley.
- Health related expenses are 1.4% more in Scotts Valley.
 San Jose, CAScotts Valley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries113.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing428.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,132,400$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock117.0100
 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 Scotts Valley    4 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

We lived and worked in Scotts Valley for a number of years. It's a nice enough city, safe and clean unlike some areas of Santa Cruz. It's well managed and the schools  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Great weather and small town feel but it is changing rapidly  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Scotts Valley is an ideal, small town with many wonderful features. It's just 10 minutes from the beaches in nearby Santa Cruz yet doesn't get the wet fog because it's  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Scotts Valley


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.