Cost of Living: Phoenix vs San Antonio (2026)

Phoenix vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 8% less expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $91,676 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 8% less expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $91,676 in San Antonio.

Phoenix vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricPhoenixSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10395-8%
Median rent$1,458$1,258-14%
Median home value$381,900$219,700-42%
Median household income$77,041$62,917-18%

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 Phoenix has the same buying power as about $91,676 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $109,080 in Phoenix.

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

Compare any salary: Phoenix vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Phoenix is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 95 — a 8% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $91,676 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix.