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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

San Jose

California
254

San Antonio is 172% cheaper than San Jose.

$1,258/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,617/mo ↑ 108%
$62,917/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$141,565/yr ↑ 125%
$219,700 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$1,187,800 ↑ 441%
$1,235/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,775/mo ↑ 125%
1,458,954
Population
990,054

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
22.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and San Jose, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 254 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,359/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $16,308/year.

Median household income is $78,648/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $1,187,800 in San Jose.

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 Jose — common questions

Is San Antonio or San Jose cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and San Jose?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in San Jose it's $2,617/month — a difference of $1,359/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or San Jose?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $141,565 in San Jose. Median household income is $78,648/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while San Jose has a cost index of 254 with rent of $2,617/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View San Jose details →