Dallas vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 9% more affordable than Dallas.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Dallas, TX

COL index96
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo
Median home price$340K
VS

San Antonio, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDallas indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing125112 ✓-13%
Groceries9183 ✓-8%
Transportation9285 ✓-7%
Healthcare9385 ✓-8%
Utilities9386 ✓-7%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Dallas → San Antonio

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

Salary in DallasEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$54,000$-6,000
$80,000$73,000$-7,000
$100,000$91,000$-9,000
$130,000$118,000$-12,000
$150,000$136,000$-14,000
$200,000$181,000$-19,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Dallas, TX and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 96 for Dallas — a difference of approximately 9%.

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 Dallas is $340,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,380/month in Dallas versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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