Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs New Orleans, LA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

New Orleans

Louisiana
90

San Antonio is 9% cheaper than New Orleans.

$1,258/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,211/mo ↓ 4%
$62,917/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$55,339/yr ↓ 12%
$219,700 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$296,400 ↑ 35%
$1,235/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,274/mo ↑ 3%
1,458,954
Population
376,035

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and New Orleans, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $7,578/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $296,400 in New Orleans.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs New Orleans — common questions

Is San Antonio or New Orleans cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 90 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and New Orleans?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in New Orleans it's $1,211/month — a difference of $47/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or New Orleans?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $55,339 in New Orleans. Median household income is $7,578/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or New Orleans?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while New Orleans has a cost index of 90 with rent of $1,211/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View New Orleans details →

More Comparisons

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