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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

San Antonio is 8% more expensive than Pasadena.

$1,258/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 5%
$62,917/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↑ 2%
$219,700 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 12%
$1,235/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 8%
1,458,954
Population
149,345

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $57/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $684/year.

Median household income is $1,353/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $193,600 in Pasadena.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Pasadena — common questions

Is San Antonio or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 82 (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 $1,201/month — a difference of $57/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Pasadena?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $1,353/year higher in Pasadena.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% 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 76 with rent of $1,201/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Pasadena details →

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