Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Monroe, NC?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 0.7% more expensive than Monroe, NC. The two cities have very similar living costs.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Monroe, NC, you'd need approximately $150,614.443 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 1.4% more expensive than in Monroe, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $1,121/month in Monroe, NC.

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

Monroe, NC and San Antonio, TX have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Monroe, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Charlotte, NC area

Current salary in Monroe, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $51.20/month more in San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.6K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$51.20

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$614

Per year

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

Monroe, NC

Population:38K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$355K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$215K

Monroe, NC

The Tar Heel State

38K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 38K 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: Monroe, NC vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Monroe, NC	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,120/mo	$1,287/mo	↑ $167more	14.9%
🏥Healthcare	$616/mo	$527/mo	↓ $89.37less	14.5%
📦Other	$1,591/mo	$1,647/mo	↑ $56.22more	3.5%
🛒Groceries	$955/mo	$913/mo	↓ $41.61less	4.4%
🏠Housing	$2,070/mo	$2,100/mo	↑ $29.43more	1.4%
⚡All Utilities	$501/mo	$496/mo	↓ $5.48less	1.1%

🚗Transportation

↑ 14.9%

Monroe, NC

$1,120

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$167

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.5%

Monroe, NC

$616

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$89.37

less

📦Other

↑ 3.5%

Monroe, NC

$1,591

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$56.22

🛒Groceries

↓ 4.4%

Monroe, NC

$955

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$41.61

less

🏠Housing

↑ 1.4%

Monroe, NC

$2,070

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$29.43

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.1%

Monroe, NC

$501

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$5.48

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$978

To$1,110

↑ $132

1 Bed

From$1,022

To$1,210

↑ $188

2 Bed

From$1,121

To$1,470

↑ $349

3 Bed

From$1,382

To$1,890

↑ $508

Monroe, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,170–$1,410/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.

$6,853

Monthly in Monroe, NC

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$116

Difference

Home Values

Monroe

San Antonio

$355K

Median Value

$215K

↑ +0.5%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +42.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$344K - $365K

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 39% less expensive than Monroe

Calculate payment - Monroe 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

Monroe, 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

Monroe, 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.