Median Household Income in California (2026) — All Cities

Dive into Fremont's numbers: cost index 176 — this is the part where it gets real — (65 points above national average), rent $3,012/month, income $176,350, and a home price of $1,511,226. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Healthcare is the cheapest category at 115, while Housing runs 176. With 226,208 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.

Santa Clara earns its position at #3 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 214 cost index sits 103 points above the national baseline, and the $173,670 — though some people might weigh that differently — median income means purchasing power here is partially offset by higher costs. Homes list at $1,742,578 — $1,275,208 above the national median, reflecting the local market dynamics. On the cost side, Healthcare leads the way at 123, while Housing trails at 214.

Dive into San Jose's numbers: cost index 188 (77 points above national average), rent $3,222/month, income $141,565, and a home price of $1,435,993. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Healthcare is the cheapest category at 118, while Housing runs 188. As a major city with 969,655 residents, amenities and job markets are robust (and that gap widens if you factor in state taxes).

Here's San Francisco by the numbers — and there's a lot to like. Cost index: 224. Rent: $3,830/month. Income: $141,446/year. Home price: $1,299,230. Population: 808,988. The strongest category is Healthcare at 125; the most expensive is Housing at 224. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are costing renters $23,220 more per year vs. the national median. The delta here is big enough to fund a retirement account.