Median rent is 4% lower in San Antonio ($1,258/mo vs $1,313/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $219,700 versus $253,400. Households earn more in San Antonio ($62,917 vs $62,894 a year). Taken together, San Antonio is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 98.8 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Antonio, TX.
Quick verdict
San Antonio is 4% cheaper overall
Cost index: 95.0 in San Antonio vs 98.8 in Houston (US average = 100)
City A
Houston, TX
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Houston, TX?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$72,140
You could earn $2,860 less (4% 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
Houston
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,313/mo in Houston and $1,258/mo in San Antonio. Median home values are within 13% of each other: $253,400 in Houston and $219,700 in San Antonio.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Texas; San Antonio has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Houston
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
San Antonio
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
San Antonio has cleaner air on average: 32.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.0 vs 98.8).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 32.0).
Is Houston cheaper than San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 98.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in San Antonio.
How much is rent in Houston vs San Antonio?
Median rent is $1,313/mo in Houston, TX and $1,258/mo in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Houston or San Antonio?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston, TX and $62,917 in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX 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?
San Antonio, TX has better air quality on average: 32.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Houston or San Antonio?
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in San Antonio to match my Houston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Houston, TX is equivalent to roughly $96,187 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