Cost of Living: New York, NY vs San Antonio, TX (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

San Antonio

Texas
82

New York is 84% more expensive than San Antonio.

$1,779/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,258/mo ↓ 29%
$79,713/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$62,917/yr ↓ 21%
$751,700 ↑ 242%
Home Value
$219,700 ↓ 71%
$1,837/mo ↑ 49%
Owner Costs
$1,235/mo ↓ 33%
8,516,202
Population
1,458,954

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
0%
4.0%
Sales Tax
6.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and San Antonio, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $521/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $6,252/year.

Median household income is $16,796/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $219,700 in San Antonio.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs San Antonio — common questions

Is New York or San Antonio cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and San Antonio?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in San Antonio it's $1,258/month — a difference of $521/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or San Antonio?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $62,917 in San Antonio. Median household income is $16,796/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Texas?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to New York or San Antonio?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/mo, while San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,258/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View New York details → View San Antonio details →