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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Hayward

California
200

San Antonio is 59% cheaper than Hayward.

$1,258/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 88%
$62,917/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 81%
$219,700 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 274%
$1,235/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 96%
1,458,954
Population
159,201

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,102/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $13,224/year.

Median household income is $50,858/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

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 Hayward — common questions

Is San Antonio or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Hayward?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,102/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Hayward?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $50,858/year higher in Hayward.
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 Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Hayward details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Hayward

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