Houston vs San Antonio: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Houston, TX and San Antonio, TX. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Houston
Texas
Cost Index98.6
Median Rent$1,361/mo
Median Income$65K
State TaxNone
Below Average
City B
San Antonio
Texas
Cost Index94.7
Median Rent$1,324/mo
Median Income$65K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in San Antonio to match your lifestyle in Houston?
$80,000
Houston
$80,000
Cost Index: 98.6
San Antonio
$76,826
Cost Index: 94.7
You need $3,174 less in San Antonio to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-4.0%
Houston98.6
San Antonio94.7
Median Rent-2.7%
Houston$1K
San Antonio$1K
Median Income~equal
Houston$65K
San Antonio$65K
Grocery Index-71.4%
Houston350.2
San Antonio100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Houston100.0
San Antonio100.0
Transportation-64.5%
Houston281.5
San Antonio100.0
Healthcare~equal
Houston100.0
San Antonio100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
HoustonNone
San AntonioNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Houston: Pros & Cons
4% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,361/mo vs $1,324/mo
San Antonio: Pros & Cons
4% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,324/mo vs $1,361/mo
Higher median income ($65K)
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (3.7%)
Houston vs San Antonio – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Houston and San Antonio.
Houston has a cost of living index of 98.6, while San Antonio scores 94.7. Houston is approximately -4.0% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,361/month compared to $1,324/month in San Antonio — a difference of 3%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 96% of your Houston salary to maintain the same standard of living in San Antonio. For example, a $75,000 salary in Houston would need to be about $72,024 in San Antonio. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Houston has a median household income of $64,813 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. San Antonio has a median household income of $65,056 with an unemployment rate of 3.7%. While income is higher in San Antonio, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.