Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Cary, NC?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 4.2% cheaper than Cary, NC. This translates to saving $313 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Cary, NC, you'd need approximately $146,246.516 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 3.5% cheaper than in Cary, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $1,473/month in Cary, NC.

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

Moving from Cary, NC to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $313 per month, or $3753 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Cary, NC vs San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cary, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

Current salary in Cary, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $313/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.2K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 4.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$313

Savings

Annual Impact

$3.8K

Per year

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

Cary, NC

Population:180K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$514K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:96

Median Home:$215K

Cary, NC

The Tar Heel State

180K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 180K 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: Cary, NC vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Cary, NC	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,175/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $75.42less	3.5%
🏥Healthcare	$595/mo	$527/mo	↓ $68.00less	11.4%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$496/mo	↓ $45.04less	8.3%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$913/mo	↓ $35.83less	3.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,257/mo	$1,287/mo	↑ $29.73more	2.4%
📦Other	$1,672/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $24.36less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 3.5%

Cary, NC

$2,175

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$75.42

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 11.4%

Cary, NC

$595

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$68.00

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.3%

Cary, NC

$541

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$45.04

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.8%

Cary, NC

$949

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$35.83

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.4%

Cary, NC

$1,257

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$29.73

📦Other

↓ 1.5%

Cary, NC

$1,672

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$24.36

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,281

To$1,110

↓ $171

1 Bed

From$1,344

To$1,210

↓ $134

2 Bed

From$1,473

To$1,470

↓ $3.00

3 Bed

From$1,847

To$1,890

↑ $43.00

Cary, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/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.

$7,188

Monthly in Cary, NC

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$219

Difference

Home Values

Cary

San Antonio

$514K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$481K - $548K

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 58% less expensive than Cary

Calculate payment - Cary Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Cary, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Cary, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

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.