Median rent is 15% lower in San Antonio ($1,258/mo vs $1,483/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $219,700 versus $576,500. Households earn more in Chapel Hill ($85,825 vs $62,917 a year). Taken together, San Antonio is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 95.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chapel Hill, NC.
City A
Chapel Hill, NC
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Chapel Hill, NC?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$74,939
You could earn $61 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
San Antonio
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in San Antonio at $1,258/mo compared to $1,483/mo in Chapel Hill (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chapel Hill: the median home is $576,500 versus $219,700 in San Antonio — 62% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while North Carolina tops out at 4.50% — giving San Antonio a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.75% in North Carolina and 6.25% in Texas; Chapel Hill has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chapel Hill
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
San Antonio
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for San Antonio (avg AQI 32.0) but not yet for Chapel Hill.
Pick Chapel Hill if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,825/yr).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,258/mo median).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chapel Hill cheaper than San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 95.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in San Antonio.
How much is rent in Chapel Hill vs San Antonio?
Median rent is $1,483/mo in Chapel Hill, NC and $1,258/mo in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Chapel Hill or San Antonio?
Median household income is $85,825 in Chapel Hill, NC and $62,917 in San Antonio, TX. Chapel Hill, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chapel Hill or San Antonio?
Texas has no state income tax. North Carolina has a top rate of 4.50%.
What salary do I need in San Antonio to match my Chapel Hill income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chapel Hill, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,919 in San Antonio, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology