Cost of Living: San Antonio vs San Diego (2026)

San Antonio vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 18% more expensive than San Antonio overall — $100,000 in San Antonio is worth about $118,129 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 18% more expensive than San Antonio overall — $100,000 in San Antonio is worth about $118,129 in San Diego.

San Antonio vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricSan AntonioSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)95112+18%
Median rent$1,258$2,223+77%
Median home value$219,700$848,500+286%
Median household income$62,917$104,321+66%

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 San Antonio has the same buying power as about $118,129 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $84,653 in San Antonio.

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

Compare any salary: San Antonio vs San Diego

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 112 vs 95 — a 18% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $118,129 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Antonio.