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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Fairfield

California
167

San Antonio is 51% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,258/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 74%
$62,917/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 63%
$219,700 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 170%
$1,235/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 80%
1,458,954
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $933/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $11,196/year.

Median household income is $39,404/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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 Fairfield — common questions

Is San Antonio or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Fairfield?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $933/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Fairfield?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $39,404/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Fairfield

San Antonio vs. Philadelphia San Antonio vs. San Diego San Antonio vs. Phoenix San Antonio vs. Dallas San Antonio vs. Houston San Antonio vs. San Jose Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill