Cost of Living: Charlotte vs San Antonio (2026)

Charlotte 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 Charlotte overall — $100,000 in Charlotte is worth about $97,296 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 3% less expensive than Charlotte overall — $100,000 in Charlotte is worth about $97,296 in San Antonio.

Charlotte vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricCharlotteSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9795-3%
Median rent$1,504$1,258-16%
Median home value$351,500$219,700-38%
Median household income$78,438$62,917-20%

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 Charlotte has the same buying power as about $97,296 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $102,779 in Charlotte.

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

Compare any salary: Charlotte vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Charlotte is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 97 vs 95 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $97,296 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Charlotte.