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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

San Francisco

California
267

San Antonio is 69% cheaper than San Francisco.

$1,258/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$2,419/mo ↑ 92%
$62,917/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$141,446/yr ↑ 125%
$219,700 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,380,500 ↑ 528%
$1,235/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$2,620/mo ↑ 112%
1,458,954
Population
836,321

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
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and San Francisco, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 267 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,161/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $13,932/year.

Median household income is $78,529/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $1,380,500 in San Francisco.

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 Francisco — common questions

Is San Antonio or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and San Francisco?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in San Francisco it's $2,419/month — a difference of $1,161/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or San Francisco?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $141,446 in San Francisco. Median household income is $78,529/year higher in San Francisco.
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 Francisco?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with rent of $2,419/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View San Francisco details →

More Comparisons

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