Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs San Antonio (2026)

Los Angeles vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 17% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $83,402 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 17% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $83,402 in San Antonio.

Los Angeles vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricLos AngelesSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)11495-17%
Median rent$1,879$1,258-33%
Median home value$879,500$219,700-75%
Median household income$80,366$62,917-22%

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 Los Angeles has the same buying power as about $83,402 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $119,902 in Los Angeles.

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

Compare any salary: Los Angeles vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 95 — a 17% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $83,402 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.