Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Fairfax, VA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 35.5% cheaper than Fairfax, VA. This translates to saving $2662 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Fairfax, VA, you'd need approximately $118,056.191 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 59.5% cheaper than in Fairfax, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $2,110/month in Fairfax, VA.

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

Moving from Fairfax, VA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $2662 per month, or $31944 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fairfax, VA vs San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fairfax, VA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Washington, DC area

Current salary in Fairfax, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $118.1K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area

Overall Cost

↓ 35.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,662

Savings

Annual Impact

$31.9K

Per year

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

Fairfax, VA

Population:25K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$774K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:65

Median Home:$215K

Fairfax, VA

The Old Dominion State

25K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 25K 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: Fairfax, VA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Fairfax, VA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,188/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $3,088less	59.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,750/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $463less	26.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,040/mo	$913/mo	↓ $126less	12.2%
🏥Healthcare	$609/mo	$527/mo	↓ $82.18less	13.5%
📦Other	$1,693/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $46.24less	2.7%
⚡All Utilities	$490/mo	$496/mo	↑ $6.04more	1.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 59.5%

Fairfax, VA

$5,188

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$3,088

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 26.5%

Fairfax, VA

$1,750

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$463

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.2%

Fairfax, VA

$1,040

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$126

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.5%

Fairfax, VA

$609

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$82.18

less

📦Other

↓ 2.7%

Fairfax, VA

$1,693

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$46.24

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.2%

Fairfax, VA

$490

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$6.04

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,838

To$1,110

↓ $728

1 Bed

From$1,893

To$1,210

↓ $683

2 Bed

From$2,110

To$1,470

↓ $640

3 Bed

From$2,662

To$1,890

↓ $772

Fairfax, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,320–$2,440/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.

$10,769

Monthly in Fairfax, VA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$3,800

Difference

Home Values

Fairfax

San Antonio

$774K

Median Value

$215K

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +24.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$692K - $828K

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 72% less expensive than Fairfax

Calculate payment - Fairfax Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $8.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$697

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.6%

Rate difference

Fairfax, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

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

Fairfax, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

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.