Home › Compare › Portland, OR vs San Antonio, TX

Cost of Living: Portland, OR vs San Antonio, TX

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

21.1% San Antonio, TX is cheaper overall
40.6% 40.6% cheaper housing
10.7% 10.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 40.6% cheaper
Portland
138
San Antonio
82
🛒 Groceries 10.7% cheaper
Portland
103
San Antonio
92
🚗 Transportation 13.0% cheaper
Portland
108
San Antonio
94
🏥 Healthcare 13.1% cheaper
Portland
107
San Antonio
93
⚡ Utilities 14.8% more
Portland
88
San Antonio
101

Detailed Breakdown

Category Portland, OR San Antonio, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index1149021.1% less
Housing1388240.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,550$1,05032.3% less
Median Home Price$485,000$255,00047.4% less
Groceries1039210.7% less
Transportation1089413.0% less
Healthcare1079313.1% less
Utilities8810114.8% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Portland, OR San Antonio, TX
State Income Tax8.75% (top)None (0%)
State Sales TaxNone (0%)6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.82%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Portland, OR
$79,000
Median household income
San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: San Antonio costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in San Antonio to maintain your Portland lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Portland (114) vs San Antonio (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Portland4.3%
San Antonio4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
Portland2.2%
San Antonio2.6%
Top Industries
PortlandTech, Manufacturing, Creative
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Portland27 min
San Antonio25 min
Walk Score
Portland65
San Antonio36
Air Quality (AQI)
Portland42
San Antonio42
Avg Temperature
Portland54°F
San Antonio69°F
Population
Portland652,503
San Antonio1,451,853

Moving from Portland to San Antonio?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Portland and San Antonio → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in San Antonio →

Compare Other Cities

Portland vs Austin → Portland vs Denver → Portland vs Nashville → San Antonio vs Raleigh → San Antonio vs Phoenix → San Antonio vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland or San Antonio cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 40.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Portland vs San Antonio?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,550/month in Portland and $1,050/month in San Antonio — a difference of about $500 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Portland or San Antonio?+
Oregon has a state income tax of 8.75% (top) and sales tax of None (0%). Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Portland to San Antonio?+
Median household income in Portland is $79,000 compared to $58,000 in San Antonio. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Portland vs San Antonio?+
The median home price in Portland is $485,000 versus $255,000 in San Antonio — a difference of $230,000. Property tax rates also differ: Oregon averages 0.82% while Texas averages 1.60%.