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

Based on cost of living data, San Antonio, TX is 51.7% cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA. This translates to saving $3876 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Cruz, CA, you'd need approximately $103,483.469 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Antonio, TX is 74.2% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX compared to $3,823/month in Santa Cruz, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Cruz, CA to San Antonio, TX could save you approximately $3876 per month, or $46517 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Santa Cruz, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from San Jose, CA area

Current salary in Santa Cruz, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.9K/month moving to San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $103.5K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 51.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,876

Savings

Annual Impact

$46.5K

Per year

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

Santa Cruz, CA

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.24M

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K

Cost Index:48

Median Home:$215K

Santa Cruz, CA

The Golden State

62K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 62K 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 Cruz, CA vs San Antonio, TX

Category	Santa Cruz, CA	San Antonio, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$8,153/mo	$2,100/mo	↓ $6,053less	74.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,093/mo	$913/mo	↓ $180less	16.4%
🏥Healthcare	$684/mo	$527/mo	↓ $157less	23.0%
📦Other	$1,710/mo	$1,647/mo	↓ $62.59less	3.7%
⚡All Utilities	$450/mo	$496/mo	↑ $46.00more	10.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,318/mo	$1,287/mo	↓ $31.64less	2.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 74.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$8,153

San Antonio, TX

$2,100

Difference

$6,053

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 16.4%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,093

San Antonio, TX

$913

Difference

$180

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.0%

Santa Cruz, CA

$684

San Antonio, TX

$527

Difference

$157

less

📦Other

↓ 3.7%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,710

San Antonio, TX

$1,647

Difference

$62.59

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$450

San Antonio, TX

$496

Difference

$46.00

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.4%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,318

San Antonio, TX

$1,287

Difference

$31.64

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,883

To$1,110

↓ $1,773

1 Bed

From$2,995

To$1,210

↓ $1,785

2 Bed

From$3,823

To$1,470

↓ $2,353

3 Bed

From$4,875

To$1,890

↓ $2,985

Santa Cruz, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,900–$3,870/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.

$13,407

Monthly in Santa Cruz, CA

$6,969

Monthly in San Antonio, TX

$6,438

Difference

Home Values

Santa Cruz

San Antonio

$1.24M

Median Value

$215K

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -2.9%

↑ +25.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +16.7%

$648K - $1.27M

Price Range

$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 83% less expensive than Santa Cruz

Calculate payment - Santa Cruz 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 Cruz, 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 Cruz, 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.