Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Indianapolis, IN (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Indianapolis

Indiana
74

San Antonio is 11% more expensive than Indianapolis.

$1,258/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,112/mo ↓ 12%
$62,917/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$62,995/yr ≈ Same
$219,700 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$207,000 ↓ 6%
$1,235/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,124/mo ↓ 9%
1,458,954
Population
882,043

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.05%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Indianapolis, IN, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $146/month cheaper in Indianapolis, saving renters about $1,752/year.

Median household income is $78/year higher in Indianapolis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $207,000 in Indianapolis.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Indiana's 3.05% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Indianapolis — common questions

Is San Antonio or Indianapolis cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Indianapolis is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Indianapolis?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Indianapolis it's $1,112/month — a difference of $146/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Indianapolis?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $62,995 in Indianapolis. Median household income is $78/year higher in Indianapolis.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Indiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Indianapolis?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Indianapolis has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,112/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Indianapolis details →

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