Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

San Antonio is 41% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,258/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 42%
$62,917/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 125%
$219,700 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 118%
$1,235/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 62%
1,458,954
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $534/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $6,408/year.

Median household income is $78,436/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is San Antonio or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and The Woodlands?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $534/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $78,436/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View The Woodlands details →

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