Austin vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 21% more affordable than Austin.

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At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

San Antonio, TX

COL index87 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,100/mo ✓
Median home price$260K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing144112 ✓-32%
Groceries10483 ✓-21%
Transportation10585 ✓-20%
Healthcare10785 ✓-22%
Utilities10486 ✓-18%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Austin → San Antonio

What salary in San Antonio gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$47,000$-13,000
$80,000$63,000$-17,000
$100,000$79,000$-21,000
$130,000$103,000$-27,000
$150,000$119,000$-31,000
$200,000$158,000$-42,000

Austin vs San Antonio: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 21%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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