Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Scottsdale

Arizona
165

San Antonio is 50% cheaper than Scottsdale.

$1,258/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,910/mo ↑ 52%
$62,917/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$107,372/yr ↑ 71%
$219,700 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$709,900 ↑ 223%
$1,235/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,824/mo ↑ 48%
1,458,954
Population
242,169

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Scottsdale, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 165 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $652/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $7,824/year.

Median household income is $44,455/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $709,900 in Scottsdale.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Scottsdale — common questions

Is San Antonio or Scottsdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Scottsdale?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Scottsdale it's $1,910/month — a difference of $652/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Scottsdale?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $107,372 in Scottsdale. Median household income is $44,455/year higher in Scottsdale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Scottsdale?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with rent of $1,910/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Scottsdale details →

More Comparisons

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