Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

San Antonio is 5% more expensive than Huntsville.

$1,258/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↓ 14%
$62,917/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↑ 12%
$219,700 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$263,100 ↑ 20%
$1,235/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↓ 15%
1,458,954
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $180/month cheaper in Huntsville, saving renters about $2,160/year.

Median household income is $7,861/year higher in Huntsville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Huntsville — common questions

Is San Antonio or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 78 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Huntsville?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $180/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Huntsville?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $7,861/year higher in Huntsville.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Huntsville details →

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