San Antonio vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 10% less expensive than Dallas.

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

Dallas, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Antonio indexDallas indexDifference
Housing112 ✓125+13%
Groceries83 ✓91+8%
Transportation85 ✓92+7%
Healthcare85 ✓93+8%
Utilities86 ✓93+7%

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

Salary equivalency: San Antonio → Dallas

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

Salary in San AntonioEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$66,000+$6,000
$80,000$88,000+$8,000
$100,000$110,000+$10,000
$130,000$143,000+$13,000
$150,000$166,000+$16,000
$200,000$221,000+$21,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Antonio, TX and Dallas, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 96 for Dallas — a difference of approximately 10%.

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

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