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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

San Antonio is 76% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,258/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 144%
$62,917/yr ↓ 65%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 189%
$219,700 ↓ 88%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 727%
$1,235/mo ↓ 59%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 144%
1,458,954
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,807/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $21,684/year.

Median household income is $118,945/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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 Sunnyvale — common questions

Is San Antonio or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,807/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $118,945/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Sunnyvale details →

More Comparisons

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