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

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 53.8% cheaper than San Francisco, CA. This translates to saving $4036 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Francisco, CA, you'd need approximately $101,573.604 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 78.5% cheaper than in San Francisco, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA.

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

Moving from San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $4036 per month, or $48426 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Francisco, CA

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San Antonio, TX

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Francisco, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $4.0K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $101.6K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 53.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,036

Savings

Annual Impact

$48.4K

Per year

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

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.25M

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:46

Median Home:$215K

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

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!

Cost Breakdown by Category

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

Category	San Francisco, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$9,771/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $7,671less	78.5%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $872less	40.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,159/mo	$913/mo	↓ $246less	21.2%
📦Other	$1,875/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $228less	12.1%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$527/mo	↓ $180less	25.4%
⚡All Utilities	$448/mo	$496/mo	↑ $47.54more	10.6%

🏠Housing

↓ 78.5%

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$7,671

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 40.4%

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$872

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 21.2%

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$246

less

📦Other

↓ 12.1%

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$228

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.4%

San Francisco, CA

$706

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$180

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.6%

San Francisco, CA

$448

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$47.54

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,460

To$1,110

↓ $1,350

1 Bed

From$2,950

To$1,210

↓ $1,740

2 Bed

From$3,570

To$1,470

↓ $2,100

3 Bed

From$4,560

To$1,890

↓ $2,670

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/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.

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$9,149

Difference

Home Values

San Francisco

San Antonio

$1.25M

Median Value

$215K

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↓ -7.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$693K - $2.12M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 83% less expensive than San Francisco

Calculate payment - San Francisco Calculate payment - San Antonio

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$886

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

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

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

Additional Tax Information

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

San Antonio, 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.