Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

San Antonio is 37% cheaper than Meridian.

$1,258/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 36%
$62,917/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 57%
$219,700 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 121%
$1,235/mo ↓ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 30%
1,458,954
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $456/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $5,472/year.

Median household income is $35,769/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Meridian — common questions

Is San Antonio or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Meridian?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $456/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Meridian?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $35,769/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Meridian

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