Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

San Antonio is 53% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,258/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 61%
$62,917/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 81%
$219,700 ↓ 68%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 217%
$1,235/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 76%
1,458,954
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $773/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $9,276/year.

Median household income is $50,721/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Alexandria — common questions

Is San Antonio or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Alexandria?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $773/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Alexandria?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $50,721/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Alexandria details →

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