New York City vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 53% more affordable than New York City. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs New York's 6.85%.

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At a glance

New York City, NY

COL index187
State income tax6.85%
Avg 1BR rent$3,400/mo
Median home price$750K
VS

San Antonio, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryNew York City indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing247112 ✓-135%
Groceries17583 ✓-92%
Transportation17385 ✓-88%
Healthcare18085 ✓-95%
Utilities16486 ✓-78%

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

Salary equivalency: New York City → San Antonio

What salary in San Antonio gives you the same purchasing power as your New York City salary?

Salary in New York CityEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$25,000$-35,000
$80,000$34,000$-46,000
$100,000$42,000$-58,000
$130,000$55,000$-75,000
$150,000$63,000$-87,000
$200,000$84,000$-116,000

New York City vs San Antonio: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between New York City, NY and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 187 for New York City — a difference of approximately 53%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio workers an immediate 6.85% take-home pay advantage over New York City workers who pay New York's 6.85% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in New York City is $750,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,400/month in New York City versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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