Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 38.9% cheaper than Boston, MA. This translates to saving $2919 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $114,966.443 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 60.2% cheaper than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

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

Moving from Boston, MA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $2919 per month, or $35034 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Boston, MA

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San Antonio, TX

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.9K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $115.0K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 38.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,919

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.0K

Per year

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

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:61

Median Home:$215K

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

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: Boston, MA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Boston, MA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,275/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $3,176less	60.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,830/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $544less	29.7%
⚡All Utilities	$716/mo	$496/mo	↓ $220less	30.8%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$527/mo	↓ $217less	29.2%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $177less	9.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$913/mo	↓ $166less	15.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 60.2%

Boston, MA

$5,275

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$3,176

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 29.7%

Boston, MA

$1,830

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$544

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 30.8%

Boston, MA

$716

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$220

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 29.2%

Boston, MA

$743

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$217

less

📦Other

↓ 9.7%

Boston, MA

$1,825

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$177

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 15.4%

Boston, MA

$1,079

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$166

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,095

To$1,110

↓ $1,985

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$1,210

↓ $2,045

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$1,470

↓ $2,395

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$1,890

↓ $2,740

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$4,500

Difference

Home Values

Boston

San Antonio

$961K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 78% less expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$625

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.