Is Houston, TX cheaper than San Antonio, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Houston, TX is 6.0% more expensive than San Antonio, TX. This translates to spending an extra $453 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Antonio, TX, you'd need approximately $155,439.56 in Houston, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Houston, TX is 4.3% more expensive than in San Antonio, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,500/month in Houston, TX compared to $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX.

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

Living in Houston, TX costs approximately $453 more per month than San Antonio, TX, or $5440 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Antonio, TX

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Houston, TX

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Antonio, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $453/month more in Houston, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.4K in Houston, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 6.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$453

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.4K

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

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:106

Median Home:$245K

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!

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

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Antonio, TX vs Houston, TX

Category	San Antonio, TX	Houston, TX	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,287/mo	$1,449/mo	↑ $163more	12.6%
📦Other	$1,647/mo	$1,768/mo	↑ $121more	7.3%
🏠Housing	$2,100/mo	$2,191/mo	↑ $90.96more	4.3%
⚡All Utilities	$496/mo	$552/mo	↑ $56.83more	11.5%
🏥Healthcare	$527/mo	$562/mo	↑ $35.32more	6.7%
🛒Groceries	$913/mo	$911/mo	↓ $2.00less	0.2%

🚗Transportation

↑ 12.6%

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Houston, TX

$1,449

Difference

$163

📦Other

↑ 7.3%

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Houston, TX

$1,768

Difference

$121

🏠Housing

↑ 4.3%

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Houston, TX

$2,191

Difference

$90.96

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.5%

San Antonio, TX

$496

Houston, TX

$552

Difference

$56.83

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.7%

San Antonio, TX

$527

Houston, TX

$562

Difference

$35.32

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.2%

San Antonio, TX

$913

Houston, TX

$911

Difference

$2.00

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,110

To$1,220

↑ $110

1 Bed

From$1,210

To$1,260

↑ $50.00

2 Bed

From$1,470

To$1,500

↑ $30.00

3 Bed

From$1,890

To$2,020

↑ $130

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/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

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$464

Difference

Home Values

San Antonio

Houston

$215K

Median Value

$245K

↓ -2.9%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +16.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +23.4%

$107K - $905K

Price Range

$138K - $1.64M

Homes in Houston are 14% more expensive than San Antonio

Calculate payment - San Antonio Calculate payment - Houston

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

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

Additional Tax Information

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Houston, 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.