Mountain View, CA vs San Jose, CA

Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.

Score Snapshot

No universal winner

Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.

Mountain View

63.3

#1779 nationally

vs

San Jose

63

#1807 nationally

San Jose leads in cost of living index (198 vs 285). Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 51). Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $142,891).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Mountain View, CA San Jose, CA
WhereAtHome Score 63.3 (#1779) 63 (#1807)
Population 81,785 983,489
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $1,962,774 $1,391,204
Median Household Income $174,156 $142,891
Average Commute 24.2 min 28.4 min
Walk Score 66 51
Crime Level 8.4 Moderate
School Rating N/A 7.2
Cost of Living Index 285 198
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+40.0 D+40.0