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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Long Beach

California
169

San Antonio is 51% cheaper than Long Beach.

$1,258/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,803/mo ↑ 43%
$62,917/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$83,969/yr ↑ 33%
$219,700 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$762,200 ↑ 247%
$1,235/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,890/mo ↑ 53%
1,458,954
Population
458,491

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
25.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Long Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $545/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $6,540/year.

Median household income is $21,052/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $762,200 in Long Beach.

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 Long Beach — common questions

Is San Antonio or Long Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Long Beach?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Long Beach it's $1,803/month — a difference of $545/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Long Beach?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $83,969 in Long Beach. Median household income is $21,052/year higher in Long Beach.
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 Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,803/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Long Beach details →

More Comparisons

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