Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Gilbert, AZ (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Gilbert

Arizona
148

San Antonio is 45% cheaper than Gilbert.

$1,258/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,028/mo ↑ 61%
$62,917/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$121,351/yr ↑ 93%
$219,700 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$518,600 ↑ 136%
$1,235/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,908/mo ↑ 54%
1,458,954
Population
271,118

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Gilbert, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 148 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $770/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $9,240/year.

Median household income is $58,434/year higher in Gilbert. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $518,600 in Gilbert.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Gilbert — common questions

Is San Antonio or Gilbert cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 148 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Gilbert?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Gilbert it's $2,028/month — a difference of $770/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Gilbert?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $121,351 in Gilbert. Median household income is $58,434/year higher in Gilbert.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Gilbert?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Gilbert has a cost index of 148 with rent of $2,028/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Gilbert details →

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