Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Columbia, MO (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Columbia

Missouri
80

San Antonio and Columbia have a similar cost of living.

$1,258/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,067/mo ↓ 15%
$62,917/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$64,488/yr ↑ 2%
$219,700 ↓ 18%
Home Value
$268,300 ↑ 22%
$1,235/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 10%
1,458,954
Population
127,200

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Columbia, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $191/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $2,292/year.

Median household income is $1,571/year higher in Columbia. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $268,300 in Columbia.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Columbia — common questions

Is San Antonio or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Columbia?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Columbia it's $1,067/month — a difference of $191/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Columbia?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $64,488 in Columbia. Median household income is $1,571/year higher in Columbia.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Missouri?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,067/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Columbia details →

More Comparisons

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