Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

San Antonio is 30% cheaper than Salt Lake City.

$1,258/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↑ 7%
$62,917/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↑ 19%
$219,700 ↓ 56%
Home Value
$495,700 ↑ 126%
$1,235/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↑ 13%
1,458,954
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.65%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $85/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $1,020/year.

Median household income is $12,008/year higher in Salt Lake City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Utah's 4.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is San Antonio or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 117 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $85/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $12,008/year higher in Salt Lake City.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Utah?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Salt Lake City

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