Median rent is 20% lower in San Antonio ($1,324/mo vs $1,654/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $339,400. Households earn more in New Braunfels ($86,021 vs $65,056 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (94.3).
City A
New Braunfels, TX
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from New Braunfels, TX?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
New Braunfels
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 $1,654/mo in New Braunfels (20% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New Braunfels: the median home is $339,400 versus $235,700 in San Antonio — 31% more expensive.
Metric
New Braunfels
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.
New Braunfels
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 New Braunfels.
Pick New Braunfels if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,021/yr).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,324/mo median).
New Braunfels is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in New Braunfels.
Median rent is $1,654/mo in New Braunfels, TX and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 20%.
Median household income is $86,021 in New Braunfels, TX and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. New Braunfels, 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 New Braunfels, TX is equivalent to roughly $100,000 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
