Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Charleston, SC (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

San Antonio is 36% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,258/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 30%
$62,917/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 43%
$219,700 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 114%
$1,235/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 37%
1,458,954
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $374/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $4,488/year.

Median household income is $27,121/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Charleston — common questions

Is San Antonio or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Charleston?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $374/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Charleston?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $27,121/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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