Cost of Living: Boston vs San Antonio (2026)

Boston vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 13% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $87,485 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 13% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $87,485 in San Antonio.

Boston vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricBostonSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10895-13%
Median rent$2,093$1,258-40%
Median home value$710,400$219,700-69%
Median household income$94,755$62,917-34%

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 Boston has the same buying power as about $87,485 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $114,306 in Boston.

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

Compare any salary: Boston vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 95 — a 13% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $87,485 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.