Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

San Antonio is 39% cheaper than East Los Angeles.

$1,258/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↑ 14%
$62,917/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↑ 9%
$219,700 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 179%
$1,235/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↑ 18%
1,458,954
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $173/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $2,076/year.

Median household income is $5,461/year higher in East Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is San Antonio or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $173/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $5,461/year higher in East Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and East Los Angeles

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