Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Des Moines, WA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 16.0% cheaper than Des Moines, WA. This translates to saving $1197 per month.

What salary do I need in San Antonio, TX to live like I do in Des Moines, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Des Moines, WA, you'd need approximately $135,640.175 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Des Moines, WA and San Antonio, TX?

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 28.5% cheaper than in Des Moines, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $1,776/month in Des Moines, WA.

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

Moving from Des Moines, WA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $1197 per month, or $14360 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Des Moines, WA vs San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Des Moines, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tacoma, WA area

Current salary in Des Moines, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.2K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $135.6K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 16.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,197

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.4K

Per year

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

Des Moines, WA

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$580K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$215K

Des Moines, WA

The Evergreen State

32K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 32K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

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: Des Moines, WA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Des Moines, WA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,936/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $836less	28.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,819/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $533less	29.3%
🏥Healthcare	$807/mo	$527/mo	↓ $280less	34.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,056/mo	$913/mo	↓ $143less	13.5%
📦Other	$1,572/mo	$1,647/mo	↑ $75.28more	4.8%
⚡All Utilities	$471/mo	$496/mo	↑ $24.91more	5.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 28.5%

Des Moines, WA

$2,936

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$836

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 29.3%

Des Moines, WA

$1,819

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$533

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 34.7%

Des Moines, WA

$807

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$280

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.5%

Des Moines, WA

$1,056

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$143

less

📦Other

↑ 4.8%

Des Moines, WA

$1,572

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$75.28

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.3%

Des Moines, WA

$471

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$24.91

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,474

To$1,110

↓ $364

1 Bed

From$1,523

To$1,210

↓ $313

2 Bed

From$1,776

To$1,470

↓ $306

3 Bed

From$2,321

To$1,890

↓ $431

Des Moines, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,870–$1,870/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.

$8,661

Monthly in Des Moines, WA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$1,691

Difference

Home Values

Des Moines

San Antonio

$580K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -1.7%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +25.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$580K

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 63% less expensive than Des Moines

Calculate payment - Des Moines 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

Des Moines, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington 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

Des Moines, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.