Houston vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 4% more affordable than Houston.

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At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo
Median home price$290K
VS

San Antonio, TX

COL index87 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,100/mo ✓
Median home price$260K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing118112 ✓-6%
Groceries8783 ✓-4%
Transportation8885 ✓-3%
Healthcare8885 ✓-3%
Utilities8986 ✓-3%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Houston → San Antonio

What salary in San Antonio gives you the same purchasing power as your Houston salary?

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$57,000$-3,000
$80,000$76,000$-4,000
$100,000$96,000$-4,000
$130,000$124,000$-6,000
$150,000$143,000$-7,000
$200,000$191,000$-9,000

Houston vs San Antonio: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 91 for Houston — a difference of approximately 4%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Houston is $290,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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