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Houston vs San Antonio

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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San Antonio is 4% cheaper than Houston overall.Houston has a cost of living index of 95 vs San Antonio at 91 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Houston costs 12% more.

Pierre
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Houston
TX
95
COLI index
VS
San Antonio
TX
91
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryHoustonSan AntonioDifference
Overall COLI9591-4%
Housing10592-12%
Groceries103102-1%
Transport104103-1%
Healthcare101101Same
Utilities112110-2%

Median 1BR Rent

Houston
$1,350/mo
San Antonio
$1,250/mo

Median Home Price

Houston
$265,000
San Antonio
$245,000

Median Household Income

Houston
$56,019
San Antonio
$54,091

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Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio is cheaper to live in overall. Houston has a cost of living index of 95 while San Antonio has an index of 91, where 100 represents the US national average. San Antonio is 4% cheaper than Houston overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,350 per month compared to $1,250 in San Antonio. The median home price in Houston is $265,000 versus $245,000 in San Antonio. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Houston has a cost of living index of 95 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 Houston, multiply by 0.96. For example a $75,000 salary in Houston is equivalent to approximately $71,842 in San Antonio.

Houston has a median household income of $56,019 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 Houston to San Antonio is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. San Antonio is 4% 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.