Cost of Living: El Paso vs San Antonio (2026)

El Paso vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 5% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $105,343 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 5% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $105,343 in San Antonio.

El Paso vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricEl PasoSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9095+5%
Median rent$1,041$1,258+21%
Median home value$171,700$219,700+28%
Median household income$58,734$62,917+7%

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 El Paso has the same buying power as about $105,343 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $94,928 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 95 vs 90 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $105,343 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.