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

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 42.3% cheaper than San Rafael, CA. This translates to saving $3176 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Rafael, CA, you'd need approximately $111,891.494 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 64.4% cheaper than in San Rafael, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $2,537/month in San Rafael, CA.

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

Moving from San Rafael, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $3176 per month, or $38109 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

San Rafael, CA vs San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 San Rafael, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in San Rafael, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.2K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $111.9K in San Antonio, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 42.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,176

Savings

Annual Impact

$38.1K

Per year

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

San Rafael, CA

Population:60K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.34M

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:58

Median Home:$215K

San Rafael, CA

The Golden State

60K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 60K residents.

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 Rafael, CA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	San Rafael, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,906/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $3,806less	64.4%
🚗Transportation	$2,064/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $778less	37.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,134/mo	$913/mo	↓ $220less	19.4%
🏥Healthcare	$691/mo	$527/mo	↓ $164less	23.8%
📦Other	$1,793/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $146less	8.2%
⚡All Utilities	$438/mo	$496/mo	↑ $57.38more	13.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 64.4%

San Rafael, CA

$5,906

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$3,806

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 37.7%

San Rafael, CA

$2,064

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$778

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 19.4%

San Rafael, CA

$1,134

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$220

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.8%

San Rafael, CA

$691

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$164

less

📦Other

↓ 8.2%

San Rafael, CA

$1,793

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$146

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.1%

San Rafael, CA

$438

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$57.38

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,748

To$1,110

↓ $638

1 Bed

From$2,098

To$1,210

↓ $888

2 Bed

From$2,537

To$1,470

↓ $1,067

3 Bed

From$3,244

To$1,890

↓ $1,354

San Rafael, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,580–$2,580/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.

$12,027

Monthly in San Rafael, CA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$5,057

Difference

Home Values

San Rafael

San Antonio

$1.34M

Median Value

$215K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +13.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$1.34M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 84% less expensive than San Rafael

Calculate payment - San Rafael 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 Rafael, 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 Rafael, 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.