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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Santa Ana

California
163

San Antonio is 50% cheaper than Santa Ana.

$1,258/mo ↓ 36%
Median Rent
$1,975/mo ↑ 57%
$62,917/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$88,354/yr ↑ 40%
$219,700 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$657,800 ↑ 199%
$1,235/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,965/mo ↑ 59%
1,458,954
Population
311,639

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
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Santa Ana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 163 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $717/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $8,604/year.

Median household income is $25,437/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $657,800 in Santa Ana.

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 Santa Ana — common questions

Is San Antonio or Santa Ana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Santa Ana?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Santa Ana it's $1,975/month — a difference of $717/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Santa Ana?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $88,354 in Santa Ana. Median household income is $25,437/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with rent of $1,975/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Santa Ana details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Santa Ana

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