Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Houston, TX

Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Houston, TX

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

6.7% Houston, TX is more expensive overall
12.2% 12.2% more expensive housing
2.2% 2.2% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 12.2% more
San Antonio
82
Houston
92
🛒 Groceries 2.2% more
San Antonio
92
Houston
94
🚗 Transportation 6.4% more
San Antonio
94
Houston
100
🏥 Healthcare 2.2% more
San Antonio
93
Houston
95
⚡ Utilities 5.0% more
San Antonio
101
Houston
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Houston, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index90966.7% more
Housing829212.2% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,20014.3% more
Median Home Price$255,000$295,00015.7% more
Groceries92942.2% more
Transportation941006.4% more
Healthcare93952.2% more
Utilities1011065.0% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Houston, TX
State Income TaxNone (0%)None (0%)
State Sales Tax6.25%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Houston outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Houston (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Houston4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Houston3.1%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Houston30 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Houston33
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Houston52
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Houston70°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Houston2,304,580

Moving from San Antonio to Houston?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Houston cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 12.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Houston?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,200/month in Houston — a difference of about $150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Houston?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. 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 San Antonio to Houston?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 compared to $67,000 in Houston. 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 Houston?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $295,000 in Houston — a difference of $40,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Texas averages 1.60%.