

San Jose, CA vs Seattle, WA
San Jose, CA comes out ahead of Seattle, WA on 26 of 45 statistics where one end is better, to 19. San Jose, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Seattle, WA leads on Economics.
45 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
- 47
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 19
- Avg. percentile
- 44
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 984,378 13th of 477 | 792,909 18th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $146,427 37th of 434 | $123,860 49th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1.23M 408th of 434 | $938,600 394th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 8.12% 76th of 434 | 9.88% 113th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 | 111.1 tied 411th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 | $91,790 tied 34th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $2,669 407th of 434 | $2,030 tied 369th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 503.4 261st of 395 | 698.7 318th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetySan Jose, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsSeattle, WA · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 156.7 tied 401st of 460 | 92.8 tied 262nd of 460 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,372.1 266th of 395 | 4,419.6 382nd of 395 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 | 106.8 tied 449th of 460 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 336.8 292nd of 395 | 975.9 392nd of 395 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2.4 149th of 395 | 4.4 232nd of 395 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 47.3% 103rd of 434 | 68.4% 37th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 503.4 261st of 395 | 698.7 318th of 395 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 211.9 tied last of 460 | 151.3 tied 400th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $2,669 407th of 434 | $2,030 tied 369th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 8.12% 76th of 434 | 9.88% 113th of 434 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 518.2 347th of 395 | 733.9 376th of 395 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $119,230 tied 1st of 460 | $91,790 tied 34th of 460 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 | 104.0 tied 356th of 460 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 95.4% 65th of 434 | 94.5% 93rd of 434 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 27.3 337th of 434 | 26.0 311th of 434 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $84,050 tied 1st of 460 | $72,610 tied 24th of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1.23M 408th of 434 | $938,600 394th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $146,427 37th of 434 | $123,860 49th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 110.4 tied 397th of 460 | 111.1 tied 411th of 460 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, San Jose, CA or Seattle, WA?
- San Jose, CA comes out ahead of Seattle, WA on 26 of 45 statistics where one end is better, to 19. San Jose, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Seattle, WA leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, San Jose, CA or Seattle, WA?
- San Jose, CA has a population of 984,378 (13th of 477 US cities) and Seattle, WA has 792,909 (18th of 477).
- How do San Jose, CA and Seattle, WA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: San Jose, CA $146,427 (37th of 434), Seattle, WA $123,860 (49th of 434) among US cities. San Jose, CA ranks better.
- How do San Jose, CA and Seattle, WA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): San Jose, CA $1.23M (408th of 434), Seattle, WA $938,600 (394th of 434) among US cities. Seattle, WA ranks better.
- Where does San Jose, CA beat Seattle, WA most clearly?
- San Jose, CA ranks far ahead on Property Crime Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 2,372.1 vs 4,419.6; Price Level (Other Services) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 100.3 vs 106.8; Burglary Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 336.8 vs 975.9.
- Where does Seattle, WA beat San Jose, CA most clearly?
- Seattle, WA ranks far ahead on Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 92.8 vs 156.7; Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 68.4% vs 47.3%; Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 151.3 vs 211.9.
More matchups
Other comparisons with San Jose, CA or Seattle, WA.
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