Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Santa Ana, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 47.5% cheaper than Santa Ana, CA. This translates to saving $3562 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Ana, CA, you'd need approximately $107,259.088 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 72.9% cheaper than in Santa Ana, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $2,660/month in Santa Ana, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $3562 per month, or $42741 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Santa Ana, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.6K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $107.3K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 47.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,562

Savings

Annual Impact

$42.7K

Per year

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

Santa Ana, CA

Population:310K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$833K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:53

Median Home:$215K

Santa Ana, CA

The Golden State

310K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 310K 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: Santa Ana, CA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Santa Ana, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,749/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $5,650less	72.9%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $872less	40.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,040/mo	$913/mo	↓ $127less	12.2%
📦Other	$1,731/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $83.70less	4.8%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$496/mo	↓ $61.75less	11.1%
🏥Healthcare	$554/mo	$527/mo	↓ $27.26less	4.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 72.9%

Santa Ana, CA

$7,749

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$5,650

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 40.4%

Santa Ana, CA

$2,158

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$872

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.2%

Santa Ana, CA

$1,040

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$127

less

📦Other

↓ 4.8%

Santa Ana, CA

$1,731

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$83.70

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 11.1%

Santa Ana, CA

$557

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$61.75

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.9%

Santa Ana, CA

$554

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$27.26

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,205

To$1,110

↓ $1,095

1 Bed

From$2,255

To$1,210

↓ $1,045

2 Bed

From$2,660

To$1,470

↓ $1,190

3 Bed

From$3,610

To$1,890

↓ $1,720

Santa Ana, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,220–$2,410/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.

$13,790

Monthly in Santa Ana, CA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$6,821

Difference

Home Values

Santa Ana

San Antonio

$833K

Median Value

$215K

↓ -1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +36.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$679K - $1.00M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 74% less expensive than Santa Ana

Calculate payment - Santa Ana 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

Santa Ana, 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

Santa Ana, 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.