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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Modesto

California
120

San Antonio is 32% cheaper than Modesto.

$1,258/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↑ 28%
$62,917/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↑ 24%
$219,700 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$415,600 ↑ 89%
$1,235/mo ↓ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↑ 31%
1,458,954
Population
218,614

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
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $351/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $4,212/year.

Median household income is $14,982/year higher in Modesto. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

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 Modesto — common questions

Is San Antonio or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Modesto?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $351/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Modesto?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $14,982/year higher in Modesto.
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 Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Modesto details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Modesto

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