Phoenix vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 13% more affordable than Phoenix. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Arizona's 2.5%.

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At a glance

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100
State income tax2.5%
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo
Median home price$395K
VS

San Antonio, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPhoenix indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing130112 ✓-18%
Groceries9583 ✓-12%
Transportation9685 ✓-11%
Healthcare9785 ✓-12%
Utilities9686 ✓-10%

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

Salary equivalency: Phoenix → San Antonio

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

Salary in PhoenixEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$50,000$-10,000
$80,000$67,000$-13,000
$100,000$84,000$-16,000
$130,000$109,000$-21,000
$150,000$126,000$-24,000
$200,000$168,000$-32,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Phoenix, AZ and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 100 for Phoenix — a difference of approximately 13%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio workers an immediate 2.5% take-home pay advantage over Phoenix workers who pay Arizona's 2.5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Phoenix is $395,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,450/month in Phoenix versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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