Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Columbus, OH

Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Columbus, OH

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

3.3% Columbus, OH is more expensive overall
4.9% 4.9% more expensive housing
4.3% 4.3% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 4.9% more
San Antonio
82
Columbus
86
🛒 Groceries 4.3% more
San Antonio
92
Columbus
96
🚗 Transportation 4.3% more
San Antonio
94
Columbus
98
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
San Antonio
93
Columbus
94
⚡ Utilities 5.9% cheaper
San Antonio
101
Columbus
95

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Columbus, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index90933.3% more
Housing82864.9% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,1004.8% more
Median Home Price$255,000$260,000~Same
Groceries92964.3% more
Transportation94984.3% more
Healthcare9394~Same
Utilities101955.9% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Columbus, OH
State Income TaxNone (0%)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Columbus outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Columbus (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Columbus3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Columbus2.8%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Columbus23 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Columbus41
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Columbus40
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Columbus52°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Columbus905,748

Moving from San Antonio to Columbus?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Columbus cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 4.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Columbus?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,100/month in Columbus — a difference of about $50 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Columbus?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. 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 San Antonio to Columbus?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 compared to $64,000 in Columbus. 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 San Antonio vs Columbus?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $260,000 in Columbus — a difference of $5,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Ohio averages 1.41%.