Cost of Living: Austin vs San Antonio (2026)

Austin vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 3% less expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $96,584 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 3% less expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $96,584 in San Antonio.

Austin vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricAustinSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9895-3%
Median rent$1,655$1,258-24%
Median home value$512,700$219,700-57%
Median household income$91,461$62,917-31%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $96,584 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $103,537 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and San Antonio.

Compare any salary: Austin vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 98 vs 95 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $96,584 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.