Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Washington, DC (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Washington

District of Columbia
171

San Antonio is 52% cheaper than Washington.

$1,258/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,900/mo ↑ 51%
$62,917/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$106,287/yr ↑ 69%
$219,700 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$724,600 ↑ 230%
$1,235/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,103/mo ↑ 70%
1,458,954
Population
672,079

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.56%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Washington, DC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 171 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $642/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $7,704/year.

Median household income is $43,370/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $724,600 in Washington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio residents a significant tax advantage over District of Columbia's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Washington — common questions

Is San Antonio or Washington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Washington?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Washington it's $1,900/month — a difference of $642/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Washington?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $106,287 in Washington. Median household income is $43,370/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and District of Columbia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Washington?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/mo, while Washington has a cost index of 171 with rent of $1,900/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Antonio details → View Washington details →

More Comparisons

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