Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Novato, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 41.2% cheaper than Novato, CA. This translates to saving $3094 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Novato, CA, you'd need approximately $112,876.394 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 63.8% cheaper than in Novato, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $2,601/month in Novato, CA.

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

Moving from Novato, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $3094 per month, or $37124 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Novato, CA vs San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Novato, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in Novato, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.1K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $112.9K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 41.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,094

Savings

Annual Impact

$37.1K

Per year

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

Novato, CA

Population:52K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.03M

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:59

Median Home:$215K

Novato, CA

The Golden State

52K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 52K 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: Novato, CA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Novato, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,796/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $3,696less	63.8%
🚗Transportation	$2,026/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $739less	36.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,123/mo	$913/mo	↓ $210less	18.7%
🏥Healthcare	$684/mo	$527/mo	↓ $158less	23.0%
📦Other	$1,760/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $113less	6.4%
⚡All Utilities	$434/mo	$496/mo	↑ $61.48more	14.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 63.8%

Novato, CA

$5,796

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$3,696

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 36.5%

Novato, CA

$2,026

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$739

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 18.7%

Novato, CA

$1,123

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$210

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.0%

Novato, CA

$684

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$158

less

📦Other

↓ 6.4%

Novato, CA

$1,760

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$113

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 14.2%

Novato, CA

$434

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$61.48

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,795

To$1,110

↓ $685

1 Bed

From$2,146

To$1,210

↓ $936

2 Bed

From$2,601

To$1,470

↓ $1,131

3 Bed

From$3,319

To$1,890

↓ $1,429

Novato, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$2,830/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.

$11,824

Monthly in Novato, CA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$4,854

Difference

Home Values

Novato

San Antonio

$1.03M

Median Value

$215K

↓ -2.2%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +19.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$966K - $1.17M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 79% less expensive than Novato

Calculate payment - Novato Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$886

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Novato, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

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

Novato, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

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.