San Antonio vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 6% more affordable than San Antonio.

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

El Paso, TX

COL index82 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$850/mo ✓
Median home price$190K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Antonio indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing112106 ✓-6%
Groceries8378 ✓-5%
Transportation8580 ✓-5%
Healthcare8580 ✓-5%
Utilities8682 ✓-4%

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

Salary equivalency: San Antonio → El Paso

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

Salary in San AntonioEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$57,000$-3,000
$80,000$75,000$-5,000
$100,000$94,000$-6,000
$130,000$123,000$-7,000
$150,000$141,000$-9,000
$200,000$189,000$-11,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Antonio, TX and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 87 for San Antonio — a difference of approximately 6%.

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 $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month in San Antonio versus $850/month in El Paso.

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