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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd spend $242/month more in San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $152.9K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates Β· COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area
Overall Cost
↑ 3.2%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$242
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$2.9K
Per year

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

Texas City, TX

Population:57K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$206K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K
Cost Index:
103
(3% above avg)
Median Home:$215K

Texas City, TX

The Lone Star State

57K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 57K residents.

πŸ’‘ Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

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.

πŸ’‘ Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Texas City, TX vs San Antonio, TX

Housing
↑ 16.6%
Texas City, TX
$1,801
San Antonio, TX
$2,100
Difference
$299
more
Groceries
↑ 4.9%
Texas City, TX
$871
San Antonio, TX
$913
Difference
$42.29
more
Transportation
↓ 2.8%
Texas City, TX
$1,324
San Antonio, TX
$1,287
Difference
$37.23
less
All Utilities
↓ 6.1%
Texas City, TX
$528
San Antonio, TX
$496
Difference
$32.40
less
Other
↑ 2.0%
Texas City, TX
$1,615
San Antonio, TX
$1,647
Difference
$32.33
more
Healthcare
↓ 1.9%
Texas City, TX
$537
San Antonio, TX
$527
Difference
$10.47
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$877
To$1,110
↑ $233
1 Bed
From$909
To$1,210
↑ $301
2 Bed
From$1,079
To$1,470
↑ $391
3 Bed
From$1,452
To$1,890
↑ $438
Texas City, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,150–$1,190/mo

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$1,770/mo

πŸ’‘ 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.

$6,676
Monthly in Texas City, TX
$6,969
Monthly in San Antonio, TX
$293
Difference

Home Values

Texas City
San Antonio
$206K
Median Value
$215K
↓ -3.8%
YoY Change
↓ -2.9%
↑ +17.4%
5-Year Change
↑ +16.7%
$176K - $235K
Price Range
$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 5% more expensive than Texas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
β†’ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Texas City, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

San Antonio, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
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

Texas City, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

πŸ’‘ 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.

Environment

Texas City
San Antonio
61 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
13.7%
Good Air Days
47.5%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
99 High
πŸŒŠπŸŒ…πŸŒ€
Top Hazards
🌊🌑πŸŒͺ
β–²+2.2Β°F
2050 Outlook
β–²+2.6Β°F
64 days
Heat Days >95Β°F
105 days
β–²+2.2Β°F
2050 Outlook
β–²+2.6Β°F
64 days
Heat Days >95Β°F
105 days

What to Consider When Moving from Texas City, TX to San Antonio, TX

Relocating from Texas City, TX to San Antonio, TX involves more than just comparing rent prices. While the overall cost of living is roughly 3% higher in San Antonio, TX, your actual experience will depend on your lifestyle, job situation, and priorities. Here are the key factors to weigh before making the move.

Housing & Rent

Housing is typically the largest line item in any budget, and it’s where the biggest differences show up between cities. In this comparison, housing in San Antonio, TX is 17% more expensive than in Texas City, TX. Keep in mind that neighborhood choice within a city can swing rent by 30–50%, so research specific areas β€” not just city averages β€” before signing a lease. If you’re buying, factor in property tax rates, which vary significantly by county and state.

Job Market & Salary Adjustments

A lower cost of living doesn’t help if your salary drops proportionally. Before committing to a move, research whether employers in San Antonio, TX pay comparable wages for your role. Remote workers may keep their current salary, but some companies adjust pay based on location. Use the salary calculator above to see what you’d need to earn in San Antonio, TX to match your current standard of living in Texas City, TX.

Taxes & Take-Home Pay

State income tax, property tax, and sales tax all affect how far your paycheck stretches. Some states have no income tax but make up for it with higher property or sales taxes. The tax comparison section above breaks down how your take-home pay would change. Don’t forget about vehicle registration fees, tolls, and other state-specific costs that add up over a year.

Quality of Life & Lifestyle Fit

Numbers only tell part of the story. Consider climate preferences, commute times, proximity to family, school quality if you have children, healthcare access, and the general β€œfeel” of a city. A place that’s 15% cheaper might not be worth it if it means a longer commute or fewer amenities you value. If possible, visit San Antonio, TX for a week before making a final decision β€” experiencing the day-to-day rhythm matters more than any spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions: Texas City, TX vs San Antonio, TX

Is San Antonio, TX cheaper than Texas City, TX?

San Antonio, TX is approximately 3.2% more expensive than Texas City, TX overall. On a $150,000 salary, that translates to roughly $242/month in additional expenses. Housing is the biggest factor, costing 17% more in San Antonio, TX.

What salary do I need in San Antonio, TX to match my lifestyle in Texas City, TX?

If you currently earn $150,000 in Texas City, TX, you would need approximately $152,904 in San Antonio, TX to maintain the same standard of living. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other typical expenses. Use the salary input above to adjust this based on your actual income.

How does rent compare between Texas City, TX and San Antonio, TX?

A two-bedroom apartment averages $1,079/month in Texas City, TX compared to $1,470/month in San Antonio, TX. One-bedroom apartments are $909/month in Texas City, TX vs $1,210/month in San Antonio, TX. These are area-wide medians β€” specific neighborhoods can vary significantly. Check the ZIP-level rent breakdown above for more granular data.

Are groceries more expensive in Texas City, TX or San Antonio, TX?

Groceries are about 5% more expensive in San Antonio, TX than in Texas City, TX, which adds roughly $42.29/month to a typical household budget. This covers common items like produce, dairy, meat, and pantry staples based on BLS consumer expenditure data.

What is the best time to move from Texas City, TX to San Antonio, TX?

Most people find that moving during the off-season (October through March) results in lower moving costs, since demand for movers and rental trucks drops. If you're renting, you may also find more negotiable lease terms during winter months. However, if you have school-age children, summer moves allow for a smoother school transition. For the best combination of availability and price, consider moving in early fall or late spring.

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