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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

San Antonio is 25% cheaper than San Bernardino.

$1,258/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↑ 14%
$62,917/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↑ 2%
$219,700 ↓ 43%
Home Value
$384,900 ↑ 75%
$1,235/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↑ 20%
1,458,954
Population
221,774

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
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $1,071/year higher in San Bernardino. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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 San Bernardino — common questions

Is San Antonio or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and San Bernardino?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $1,071/year higher in San Bernardino.
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 San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View San Bernardino details →

More Comparisons

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