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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Raleigh

North Carolina
110

San Antonio is 25% cheaper than Raleigh.

$1,258/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,468/mo ↑ 17%
$62,917/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$82,424/yr ↑ 31%
$219,700 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$377,800 ↑ 72%
$1,235/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,487/mo ↑ 20%
1,458,954
Population
470,763

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Raleigh, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 110 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $210/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $2,520/year.

Median household income is $19,507/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $377,800 in Raleigh.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Raleigh — common questions

Is San Antonio or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Raleigh?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Raleigh it's $1,468/month — a difference of $210/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Raleigh?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $82,424 in Raleigh. Median household income is $19,507/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with rent of $1,468/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Raleigh details →

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