San Antonio vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 5% less expensive than Houston.

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

Houston, TX

COL index91
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo
Median home price$290K

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Antonio indexHouston indexDifference
Housing112 ✓118+6%
Groceries83 ✓87+4%
Transportation85 ✓88+3%
Healthcare85 ✓88+3%
Utilities86 ✓89+3%

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

Salary equivalency: San Antonio → Houston

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

Salary in San AntonioEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$63,000+$3,000
$80,000$84,000+$4,000
$100,000$105,000+$5,000
$130,000$136,000+$6,000
$150,000$157,000+$7,000
$200,000$209,000+$9,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Antonio, TX and Houston, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 91 for Houston — a difference of approximately 5%.

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 $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month in San Antonio versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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