Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Carlsbad, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 33.2% cheaper than Carlsbad, CA. This translates to saving $2488 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Carlsbad, CA, you'd need approximately $120,144.066 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 52.8% cheaper than in Carlsbad, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $2,990/month in Carlsbad, CA.

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

Moving from Carlsbad, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $2488 per month, or $29856 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Carlsbad, CA vs San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Carlsbad, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from San Diego, CA area

Current salary in Carlsbad, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.5K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $120.1K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 33.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,488

Savings

Annual Impact

$29.9K

Per year

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

Carlsbad, CA

Population:113K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.28M

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:67

Median Home:$215K

Carlsbad, CA

The Golden State

113K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 113K residents.

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: Carlsbad, CA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Carlsbad, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,446/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $2,346less	52.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,486/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $199less	13.4%
📦Other	$1,789/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $142less	7.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,049/mo	$913/mo	↓ $136less	13.0%
⚡All Utilities	$616/mo	$496/mo	↓ $121less	19.6%
🏥Healthcare	$621/mo	$527/mo	↓ $93.94less	15.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 52.8%

Carlsbad, CA

$4,446

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$2,346

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.4%

Carlsbad, CA

$1,486

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$199

less

📦Other

↓ 7.9%

Carlsbad, CA

$1,789

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$142

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.0%

Carlsbad, CA

$1,049

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$136

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 19.6%

Carlsbad, CA

$616

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$121

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.1%

Carlsbad, CA

$621

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$93.94

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,283

To$1,110

↓ $1,173

1 Bed

From$2,448

To$1,210

↓ $1,238

2 Bed

From$2,990

To$1,470

↓ $1,520

3 Bed

From$3,983

To$1,890

↓ $2,093

Carlsbad, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,840–$3,250/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.

$10,006

Monthly in Carlsbad, CA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$3,037

Difference

Home Values

Carlsbad

San Antonio

$1.28M

Median Value

$215K

↑ +18.9%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +91.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$1.05M - $1.52M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 83% less expensive than Carlsbad

Calculate payment - Carlsbad Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$886

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Carlsbad, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

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

Carlsbad, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.