Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Elk Grove, CA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Elk Grove

California
168

San Antonio is 51% cheaper than Elk Grove.

$1,258/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$2,180/mo ↑ 73%
$62,917/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$122,229/yr ↑ 94%
$219,700 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$603,400 ↑ 175%
$1,235/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$2,227/mo ↑ 80%
1,458,954
Population
177,221

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
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Elk Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 168 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $922/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $11,064/year.

Median household income is $59,312/year higher in Elk Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $603,400 in Elk Grove.

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 Elk Grove — common questions

Is San Antonio or Elk Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 168 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Elk Grove?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Elk Grove it's $2,180/month — a difference of $922/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Elk Grove?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $122,229 in Elk Grove. Median household income is $59,312/year higher in Elk Grove.
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 Elk Grove?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Elk Grove has a cost index of 168 with rent of $2,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Elk Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Elk Grove

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