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

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 116.5% more expensive than San Antonio, TX. This translates to spending an extra $8736 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Antonio, TX, you'd need approximately $254,835.165 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 365.3% more expensive than in San Antonio, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $8736 more per month than San Antonio, TX, or $104835 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Antonio, TX

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Antonio, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $8.7K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $254.8K in San Francisco, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 116.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$8,736

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$104.8K

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 Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:216

Median Home:$1.25M

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 Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

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

Category	San Antonio, TX	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,100/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $7,671more	365.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,287/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $872more	67.7%
🛒Groceries	$913/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $246more	26.9%
📦Other	$1,647/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $228more	13.8%
🏥Healthcare	$527/mo	$706/mo	↑ $180more	34.1%
⚡All Utilities	$496/mo	$448/mo	↓ $47.54less	9.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 365.3%

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$7,671

🚗Transportation

↑ 67.7%

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$872

🛒Groceries

↑ 26.9%

San Antonio, TX

$913

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$246

📦Other

↑ 13.8%

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$228

🏥Healthcare

↑ 34.1%

San Antonio, TX

$527

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$180

⚡All Utilities

↓ 9.6%

San Antonio, TX

$496

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$47.54

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,110

To$2,460

↑ $1,350

1 Bed

From$1,210

To$2,950

↑ $1,740

2 Bed

From$1,470

To$3,570

↑ $2,100

3 Bed

From$1,890

To$4,560

↑ $2,670

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$9,149

Difference

Home Values

San Antonio

San Francisco

$215K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -2.9%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +16.7%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$107K - $905K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 479% more expensive than San Antonio

Calculate payment - San Antonio Calculate payment - San Francisco

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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, 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.