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Austin vs San Antonio

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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San Antonio is 24% cheaper than Austin overall.Austin has a cost of living index of 119 vs San Antonio at 91 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Austin costs 45% more.

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Austin
TX
119
COLI index
VS
San Antonio
TX
91
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryAustinSan AntonioDifference
Overall COLI11991-24%
Housing16892-45%
Groceries106102-4%
Transport108103-5%
Healthcare103101-2%
Utilities110110Same

Median 1BR Rent

Austin
$1,800/mo
San Antonio
$1,250/mo

Median Home Price

Austin
$510,000
San Antonio
$245,000

Median Household Income

Austin
$80,954
San Antonio
$54,091

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Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio is cheaper to live in overall. Austin has a cost of living index of 119 while San Antonio has an index of 91, where 100 represents the US national average. San Antonio is 24% cheaper than Austin overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800 per month compared to $1,250 in San Antonio. The median home price in Austin is $510,000 versus $245,000 in San Antonio. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Austin has a cost of living index of 119 and San Antonio has an index of 91, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Austin, multiply by 0.76. For example a $75,000 salary in Austin is equivalent to approximately $57,353 in San Antonio.

Austin has a median household income of $80,954 per year versus $54,091 in San Antonio. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Austin to San Antonio is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. San Antonio is 24% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.