Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Austin, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 11.7% cheaper than Austin, TX. This translates to saving $874 per month.

What salary do I need in San Antonio, TX to live like I do in Austin, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, TX, you'd need approximately $139,514.563 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX?

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 27.2% cheaper than in Austin, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $1,995/month in Austin, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Austin, TX to San Antonio, TX?

Moving from Austin, TX to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $874 per month, or $10485 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Austin, TX

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San Antonio, TX

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Austin, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $874/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $139.5K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX area

Overall Cost

↓ 11.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$874

Savings

Annual Impact

$10.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:88

Median Home:$215K

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

San Antonio, TX

The Lone Star State

1.5M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 1.5M residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Austin, TX vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Austin, TX	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,885/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $785less	27.2%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $93.74less	5.4%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $61.96less	10.5%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$913/mo	↓ $45.97less	4.8%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$496/mo	↓ $45.35less	8.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,287/mo	↑ $2.73more	0.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 27.2%

Austin, TX

$2,885

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$785

less

📦Other

↓ 5.4%

Austin, TX

$1,741

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$93.74

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Austin, TX

$589

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$61.96

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 4.8%

Austin, TX

$959

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$45.97

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.4%

Austin, TX

$541

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$45.35

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 0.2%

Austin, TX

$1,284

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$2.73

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,585

To$1,110

↓ $475

1 Bed

From$1,685

To$1,210

↓ $475

2 Bed

From$1,995

To$1,470

↓ $525

3 Bed

From$2,525

To$1,890

↓ $635

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$1,029

Difference

Home Values

Austin

San Antonio

$558K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -5%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +12.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$272K - $1.26M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 61% less expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - San Antonio

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

San Antonio, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.