Is Austin, TX cheaper than San Antonio, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 13.2% more expensive than San Antonio, TX. This translates to spending an extra $989 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Antonio, TX, you'd need approximately $161,868.132 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Austin, TX is 37.4% more expensive than in San Antonio, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $989 more per month than San Antonio, TX, or $11868 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Antonio, TX

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Austin, TX

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Antonio, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $989/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $161.9K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$989

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$11.9K

Per year

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

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$215K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:113

Median Home:$558K

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!

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Antonio, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	San Antonio, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,100/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $785more	37.4%
📦Other	$1,647/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $93.74more	5.7%
🏥Healthcare	$527/mo	$589/mo	↑ $61.96more	11.8%
🛒Groceries	$913/mo	$959/mo	↑ $45.97more	5.0%
⚡All Utilities	$496/mo	$541/mo	↑ $45.35more	9.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,287/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $2.73less	0.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 37.4%

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$785

📦Other

↑ 5.7%

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$93.74

🏥Healthcare

↑ 11.8%

San Antonio, TX

$527

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$61.96

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.0%

San Antonio, TX

$913

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$45.97

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.2%

San Antonio, TX

$496

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$45.35

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.2%

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$2.73

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,110

To$1,585

↑ $475

1 Bed

From$1,210

To$1,685

↑ $475

2 Bed

From$1,470

To$1,995

↑ $525

3 Bed

From$1,890

To$2,525

↑ $635

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/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.

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,029

Difference

Home Values

San Antonio

Austin

$215K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -2.9%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +16.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$107K - $905K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 160% more expensive than San Antonio

Calculate payment - San Antonio Calculate payment - Austin

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

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

Austin, 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

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Austin, 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.