Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than San Antonio, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 90.4% more expensive than San Antonio, TX. This translates to spending an extra $6783 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Antonio, TX, you'd need approximately $231,395.604 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 269.1% more expensive than in San Antonio, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX.

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

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $6783 more per month than San Antonio, TX, or $81396 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Antonio, TX

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Antonio, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.8K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $231.4K in Los Angeles, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 90.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$6,783

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$81.4K

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

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:190

Median Home:$885K

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!

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Antonio, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	San Antonio, TX	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,100/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,650more	269.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,287/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $872more	67.7%
🛒Groceries	$913/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $127more	13.9%
📦Other	$1,647/mo	$1,731/mo	↑ $83.70more	5.1%
⚡All Utilities	$496/mo	$557/mo	↑ $61.75more	12.5%
🏥Healthcare	$527/mo	$554/mo	↑ $27.26more	5.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 269.1%

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,650

🚗Transportation

↑ 67.7%

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$872

🛒Groceries

↑ 13.9%

San Antonio, TX

$913

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$127

📦Other

↑ 5.1%

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$83.70

⚡All Utilities

↑ 12.5%

San Antonio, TX

$496

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$61.75

🏥Healthcare

↑ 5.2%

San Antonio, TX

$527

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$27.26

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,110

To$1,910

↑ $800

1 Bed

From$1,210

To$2,135

↑ $925

2 Bed

From$1,470

To$2,660

↑ $1,190

3 Bed

From$1,890

To$3,370

↑ $1,480

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$6,821

Difference

Home Values

San Antonio

Los Angeles

$215K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -2.9%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +16.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$107K - $905K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 312% more expensive than San Antonio

Calculate payment - San Antonio Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

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

Los Angeles, 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

Additional Tax Information

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.