Is San Diego, CA cheaper than San Antonio, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 58.2% more expensive than San Antonio, TX. This translates to spending an extra $4368 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Antonio, TX, you'd need approximately $202,417.582 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Diego, CA is 148.8% more expensive than in San Antonio, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX.

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

Living in San Diego, CA costs approximately $4368 more per month than San Antonio, TX, or $52418 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Antonio, TX

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San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Antonio, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.4K/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $202.4K in San Diego, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 58.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,368

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$52.4K

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

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:158

Median Home:$980K

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!

San Diego, CA

The Golden State

1.4M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Year-round perfect weather
•Major military presence
•Biotech hub

Major Industries

MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Antonio, TX vs San Diego, CA

Category	San Antonio, TX	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,100/mo	$5,223/mo	↑ $3,124more	148.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,287/mo	$1,571/mo	↑ $284more	22.1%
📦Other	$1,647/mo	$1,892/mo	↑ $244more	14.8%
🛒Groceries	$913/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $166more	18.2%
⚡All Utilities	$496/mo	$634/mo	↑ $138more	27.9%
🏥Healthcare	$527/mo	$638/mo	↑ $112more	21.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 148.8%

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$3,124

🚗Transportation

↑ 22.1%

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$284

📦Other

↑ 14.8%

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$244

🛒Groceries

↑ 18.2%

San Antonio, TX

$913

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$166

⚡All Utilities

↑ 27.9%

San Antonio, TX

$496

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$138

🏥Healthcare

↑ 21.2%

San Antonio, TX

$527

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$112

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,110

To$2,565

↑ $1,455

1 Bed

From$1,210

To$2,755

↑ $1,545

2 Bed

From$1,470

To$3,360

↑ $1,890

3 Bed

From$1,890

To$4,475

↑ $2,585

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/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

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$4,068

Difference

Home Values

San Antonio

San Diego

$215K

Median Value

$980K

↓ -2.9%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↑ +16.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$107K - $905K

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 356% more expensive than San Antonio

Calculate payment - San Antonio Calculate payment - San Diego

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

San Diego, 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%

San Diego, 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.