Cost of Living: Columbus vs San Antonio (2026)

Columbus vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 1% less expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $99,211 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 1% less expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $99,211 in San Antonio.

Columbus vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricColumbusSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9595-1%
Median rent$1,224$1,258+3%
Median home value$234,500$219,700-6%
Median household income$65,327$62,917-4%

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 Columbus has the same buying power as about $99,211 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $100,795 in Columbus.

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

Compare any salary: Columbus vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 95 vs 95 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $99,211 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.