Median rent is 7% lower in San Antonio ($1,324/mo vs $1,421/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Fresno ($70,991 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 94.3 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 94.3 in San Antonio (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$77,020
You'd need $2,020 more (3% higher).
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
Fresno
California
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 $1,421/mo in Fresno (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Fresno: the median home is $374,800 versus $235,700 in San Antonio — 37% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno has cleaner air on average: 53.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,991/yr).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 53.0).
Is Fresno cheaper than San Antonio?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs San Antonio?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or San Antonio?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. Fresno, CA 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?
Fresno, CA has better air quality on average: 53.0 AQI versus 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or San Antonio?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Antonio to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $102,693 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, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
