Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Berkeley

California
251

San Antonio is 67% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,258/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 69%
$62,917/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 73%
$219,700 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 515%
$1,235/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 89%
1,458,954
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $869/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $10,428/year.

Median household income is $45,641/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Berkeley — common questions

Is San Antonio or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Berkeley?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $869/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Berkeley?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $45,641/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Berkeley details →

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