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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

San Antonio is 60% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,258/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 81%
$62,917/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 123%
$219,700 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 294%
$1,235/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 95%
1,458,954
Population
235,463

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
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,017/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $12,204/year.

Median household income is $77,243/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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 Arlington — common questions

Is San Antonio or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Arlington?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,017/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Arlington?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $77,243/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Arlington details →

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