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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Riverside

California
144

San Antonio is 43% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,258/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 44%
$62,917/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 41%
$219,700 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 147%
$1,235/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 52%
1,458,954
Population
316,241

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $554/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $6,648/year.

Median household income is $25,658/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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 Riverside — common questions

Is San Antonio or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Riverside?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $554/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Riverside?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $25,658/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

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