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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Pasadena

California
220

San Antonio is 63% cheaper than Pasadena.

$1,258/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 76%
$62,917/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 65%
$219,700 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 376%
$1,235/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 89%
1,458,954
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $960/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $11,520/year.

Median household income is $40,861/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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 Pasadena — common questions

Is San Antonio or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Pasadena?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $960/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Pasadena?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $40,861/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

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