Median rent is 47% lower in San Antonio ($1,324/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, San Antonio is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.3 against 117.6 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Francisco, CA.
Cost of living verdict
San Antonio is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.3 in San Antonio vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
San Antonio, TX
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from San Antonio, TX?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$93,465
You'd need $18,465 more (25% 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
San Antonio
Texas
San Francisco
California
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in San Antonio — median rent of $1,324/mo versus $2,476/mo in San Francisco, a 47% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $235,700 in San Antonio — 83% 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.
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for San Antonio (avg AQI 71.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.3 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,324/mo median).
Is San Antonio cheaper than San Francisco?
San Antonio is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in San Antonio.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs San Francisco?
Median rent is $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 47%.
Which has higher salaries — San Antonio or San Francisco?
Median household income is $65,056 in San Antonio, TX and $140,970 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — San Antonio or San Francisco?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match my San Antonio income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in San Antonio, TX is equivalent to roughly $124,619 in San Francisco, CA (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
