2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Jose, CA vs Tempe, AZ

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Tempe or is it cheaper to live in San Jose?
- Tempe is 51.1% less expensive than San Jose.

Which city has more affordable housing, Tempe or San Jose?
- Tempe housing costs are 67.8% less expensive than San Jose housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Jose or is Health Care more affordable in Tempe.
- Health related expenses are 14.1% less in Tempe.
 San Jose, CATempe, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock113.0100
 Food & Groceries113.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.5100
 Housing428.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$426,900$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock108.1100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Tempe    22 Reviews

Tempe is a very unique case of a College Town that has quickly become a Small College City or a Small City. It used to be where there was small pockets of walkability  More

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Tempe is a small city that definitely has nice areas, nice weather, the people are always good, and it is home of ASU. The Tempe town council has done a good job towards  More

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Over 11 years ago

Lived in Arizona 55 yrs Phoenix /Tempe lost my job and got a offer to keep my job but had to move Fall River MA. I will take the heat over days of cold anytime . January  More

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