San Antonio vs Boston
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 86% less expensive than Boston. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

San Antonio, TX

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

Boston, MA

COL index162
State income tax5%
Avg 1BR rent$2,900/mo
Median home price$720K

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Antonio indexBoston indexDifference
Housing112 ✓214+102%
Groceries83 ✓152+69%
Transportation85 ✓151+66%
Healthcare85 ✓156+71%
Utilities86 ✓144+58%

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

Salary equivalency: San Antonio → Boston

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

Salary in San AntonioEquivalent in BostonDifference
$60,000$120,000+$60,000
$80,000$160,000+$80,000
$100,000$200,000+$100,000
$130,000$261,000+$131,000
$150,000$301,000+$151,000
$200,000$401,000+$201,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Antonio, TX and Boston, MA, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 86%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio workers an immediate 5% take-home pay advantage over Boston workers who pay Massachusetts's 5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in San Antonio is $260,000, compared to $720,000 in Boston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month in San Antonio versus $2,900/month in Boston.

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