Median rent is 12% lower in San Antonio ($1,324/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $303,000. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, San Antonio is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.3 against 102.5 — about 8% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fort Worth, TX.
Cost of living verdict
San Antonio is 8% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.3 in San Antonio vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$69,027
You could earn $5,973 less (8% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fort Worth
Texas
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in San Antonio at $1,324/mo compared to $1,509/mo in Fort Worth (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Fort Worth: the median home is $303,000 versus $235,700 in San Antonio — 22% more expensive.
Metric
Fort Worth
San Antonio
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for San Antonio (avg AQI 71.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.3 vs 102.5).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,324/mo median).
San Antonio is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 8% lower in San Antonio.
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $92,036 in San Antonio, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
