Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

San Antonio is 17% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,258/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 16%
$62,917/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↑ 2%
$219,700 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 16%
$1,235/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 8%
1,458,954
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $204/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $2,448/year.

Median household income is $1,049/year higher in Des Moines. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Des Moines — common questions

Is San Antonio or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Des Moines?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $204/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Des Moines?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $1,049/year higher in Des Moines.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Iowa?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

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