Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 5.7% cheaper than Houston, TX. This translates to saving $427 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $144,870.466 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 4.2% cheaper than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

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

Moving from Houston, TX to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $427 per month, or $5130 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Houston, TX

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San Antonio, TX

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $427/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.9K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$427

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.1K

Per year

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

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$215K

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

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: Houston, TX vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Houston, TX	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $163less	11.2%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $121less	6.8%
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $90.96less	4.2%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$496/mo	↓ $56.83less	10.3%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$527/mo	↓ $35.32less	6.3%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$913/mo	↑ $2.00more	0.2%

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.2%

Houston, TX

$1,449

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$163

less

📦Other

↓ 6.8%

Houston, TX

$1,768

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$121

less

🏠Housing

↓ 4.2%

Houston, TX

$2,191

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$90.96

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 10.3%

Houston, TX

$552

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$56.83

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.3%

Houston, TX

$562

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$35.32

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.2%

Houston, TX

$911

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$2.00

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,110

↓ $110

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$1,210

↓ $50.00

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$1,470

↓ $30.00

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$1,890

↓ $130

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/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.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$464

Difference

Home Values

Houston

San Antonio

$245K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 12% less expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston 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

Houston, 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

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

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.