

San Diego, CA vs San Jose, CA
San Diego, CA comes out ahead of San Jose, CA on 26 of 36 statistics where one end is better, to 10. San Diego, CA leads on Crime & Safety. San Jose, CA leads on Economics.
36 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 26
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 10
- Avg. percentile
- 42
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | San Diego, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,410,522 8th of 477 | 984,378 13th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $108,077 68th of 434 | $146,427 37th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $906,700 391st of 434 | $1.23M 408th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 11.0% 131st of 434 | 8.12% 76th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 111.9 tied 417th of 460 | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $79,060 tied 54th of 460 | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $2,313 395th of 434 | $2,669 407th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 372.3 191st of 395 | 503.4 261st of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetySan Diego, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsSan Jose, CA · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | San Diego, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 145.4 117th of 395 | 336.8 292nd of 395 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,539.0 157th of 395 | 2,372.1 266th of 395 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 23.5 244th of 434 | 27.3 337th of 434 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 297.6 275th of 395 | 518.2 347th of 395 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 372.3 191st of 395 | 503.4 261st of 395 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $58,690 tied 70th of 460 | $84,050 tied 1st of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 11.0% 131st of 434 | 8.12% 76th of 434 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 99.6 tied 265th of 460 | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $79,060 tied 54th of 460 | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 174.2 tied 453rd of 460 | 156.7 tied 401st of 460 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 108.0 tied 437th of 460 | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1.7 119th of 395 | 2.4 149th of 395 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $108,077 68th of 434 | $146,427 37th of 434 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 179.3 tied 434th of 460 | 211.9 tied last of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $906,700 391st of 434 | $1.23M 408th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 111.9 tied 417th of 460 | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 51.0% 87th of 434 | 47.3% 103rd of 434 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $2,313 395th of 434 | $2,669 407th of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 95.2% 69th of 434 | 95.4% 65th of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, San Diego, CA or San Jose, CA?
- San Diego, CA comes out ahead of San Jose, CA on 26 of 36 statistics where one end is better, to 10. San Diego, CA leads on Crime & Safety. San Jose, CA leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, San Diego, CA or San Jose, CA?
- San Diego, CA has a population of 1,410,522 (8th of 477 US cities) and San Jose, CA has 984,378 (13th of 477).
- How do San Diego, CA and San Jose, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: San Diego, CA $108,077 (68th of 434), San Jose, CA $146,427 (37th of 434) among US cities. San Jose, CA ranks better.
- How do San Diego, CA and San Jose, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): San Diego, CA $906,700 (391st of 434), San Jose, CA $1.23M (408th of 434) among US cities. San Diego, CA ranks better.
- Where does San Diego, CA beat San Jose, CA most clearly?
- San Diego, CA ranks far ahead on Burglary Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 145.4 vs 336.8; Property Crime Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 1,539.0 vs 2,372.1; Average Commute (Minutes) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 23.5 vs 27.3.
- Where does San Jose, CA beat San Diego, CA most clearly?
- San Jose, CA ranks far ahead on Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $84,050 vs $58,690; Poverty Rate (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 8.12% vs 11.0%; Average Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $119,230 vs $79,060.
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