Los Angeles vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 47% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

San Antonio, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing215112 ✓-103%
Groceries15383 ✓-70%
Transportation15185 ✓-66%
Healthcare15785 ✓-72%
Utilities14586 ✓-59%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → San Antonio

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$28,000$-32,000
$80,000$37,000$-43,000
$100,000$46,000$-54,000
$130,000$60,000$-70,000
$150,000$69,000$-81,000
$200,000$93,000$-107,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 47%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over Los Angeles workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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