Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

San Antonio is 32% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,258/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↓ 17%
$62,917/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 29%
$219,700 ↑ 59%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 37%
$1,235/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 20%
1,458,954
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $211/month cheaper in Birmingham, saving renters about $2,532/year.

Median household income is $18,541/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Birmingham — common questions

Is San Antonio or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Birmingham?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $211/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Birmingham?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $18,541/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Birmingham details →

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