City Comparison
Folsom vs San Jose
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
California, USA
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VS
San Jose scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Folsom
San Jose
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Folsom | San Jose | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $3,395 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $480 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $195 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $140 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $270 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $4,480 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 175 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Jose offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Folsom | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $115,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $95,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Jose runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Jose comes out ahead with 319 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Jose sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Folsom | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 61.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 43.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 20.30 in |
| Snowfall | in | 1.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 319 | |
| Humidity | % | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to San Jose.
San Jose scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Jose leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Folsom | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | — | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Jose is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Folsom is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Folsom | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 989,814 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.2 | |
| Unemployment | % | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Folsom
San Jose
Advantages
Median household income in San Jose is exceptionally high at $146,427, nearly double the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city enjoys an outstanding climate featuring approximately 319 sunny days per year and mild seasonal temperatures.
San Jose's computer and mathematical occupational sectors command a mean hourly wage of $97.15, vastly outperforming national benchmarks.
The local economy is anchored by global tech innovators and massive employers, offering unmatched career growth in engineering and software.
Educational attainment is remarkably high, with nearly 49% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
The cost of living runs substantially above the national average, driven by high RPP indices and steep consumer prices.
Average monthly rent for apartments exceeds $3,300, placing heavy financial strain on renters.
Median home values surpass $1.2 million, creating significant barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional freeways can lead to frustrating daily transit times.
Property crime and vehicle break-ins remain persistent urban challenges across certain commercial corridors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
San Jose
#492California, USA
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,395
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
85
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