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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Orange

California
206

San Antonio is 60% cheaper than Orange.

$1,258/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$2,252/mo ↑ 79%
$62,917/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$116,945/yr ↑ 86%
$219,700 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$900,700 ↑ 310%
$1,235/mo ↓ 48%
Owner Costs
$2,394/mo ↑ 94%
1,458,954
Population
138,723

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
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Orange, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 206 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $994/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $11,928/year.

Median household income is $54,028/year higher in Orange. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $900,700 in Orange.

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 Orange — common questions

Is San Antonio or Orange cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 206 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Orange?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Orange it's $2,252/month — a difference of $994/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Orange?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $116,945 in Orange. Median household income is $54,028/year higher in Orange.
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 Orange?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Orange has a cost index of 206 with rent of $2,252/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Orange details →

More Comparisons

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