Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Charlotte, NC (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Charlotte

North Carolina
108

San Antonio is 24% cheaper than Charlotte.

$1,258/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,504/mo ↑ 20%
$62,917/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$78,438/yr ↑ 25%
$219,700 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$351,500 ↑ 60%
$1,235/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,487/mo ↑ 20%
1,458,954
Population
886,283

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Charlotte, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 108 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $246/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $2,952/year.

Median household income is $15,521/year higher in Charlotte. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $351,500 in Charlotte.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Charlotte — common questions

Is San Antonio or Charlotte cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 108 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Charlotte?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Charlotte it's $1,504/month — a difference of $246/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Charlotte?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $78,438 in Charlotte. Median household income is $15,521/year higher in Charlotte.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Charlotte?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Charlotte has a cost index of 108 with rent of $1,504/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Charlotte details →

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