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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

San Diego

California
197

San Antonio is 115% cheaper than San Diego.

$1,258/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$2,223/mo ↑ 77%
$62,917/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$104,321/yr ↑ 66%
$219,700 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$848,500 ↑ 286%
$1,235/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$2,308/mo ↑ 87%
1,458,954
Population
1,385,061

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and San Diego, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 197 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $965/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $11,580/year.

Median household income is $41,404/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $848,500 in San Diego.

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 Diego — common questions

Is San Antonio or San Diego cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and San Diego?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in San Diego it's $2,223/month — a difference of $965/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or San Diego?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $104,321 in San Diego. Median household income is $41,404/year higher in San Diego.
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 Diego?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while San Diego has a cost index of 197 with rent of $2,223/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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