San Antonio vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 15% less expensive than Phoenix. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Arizona's 2.5%.

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

Phoenix, AZ

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Antonio indexPhoenix indexDifference
Housing112 ✓130+18%
Groceries83 ✓95+12%
Transportation85 ✓96+11%
Healthcare85 ✓97+12%
Utilities86 ✓96+10%

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

Salary equivalency: San Antonio → Phoenix

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

Salary in San AntonioEquivalent in PhoenixDifference
$60,000$72,000+$12,000
$80,000$95,000+$15,000
$100,000$119,000+$19,000
$130,000$155,000+$25,000
$150,000$179,000+$29,000
$200,000$238,000+$38,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Antonio, TX and Phoenix, AZ, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 100 for Phoenix — a difference of approximately 15%.

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

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