Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Mesa, AZ

Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Mesa, AZ

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

10.0% Mesa, AZ is more expensive overall
26.8% 26.8% more expensive housing
5.4% 5.4% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 26.8% more
San Antonio
82
Mesa
104
🛒 Groceries 5.4% more
San Antonio
92
Mesa
97
🚗 Transportation 6.4% more
San Antonio
94
Mesa
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
San Antonio
93
Mesa
94
⚡ Utilities 5.0% more
San Antonio
101
Mesa
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Mesa, AZ Difference
Overall Cost Index909910.0% more
Housing8210426.8% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,25019.0% more
Median Home Price$255,000$365,00043.1% more
Groceries92975.4% more
Transportation941006.4% more
Healthcare9394~Same
Utilities1011065.0% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Mesa, AZ
State Income TaxNone (0%)2.50%
State Sales Tax6.25%5.60%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.51%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Mesa, AZ
$66,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Mesa outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Mesa (99). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Mesa3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Mesa3.2%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
MesaAerospace, Tech, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Mesa26 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Mesa32
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Mesa56
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Mesa74°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Mesa504,258

Moving from San Antonio to Mesa?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Mesa cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 26.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Mesa?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,250/month in Mesa — a difference of about $200 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Mesa?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Arizona has a state income tax of 2.50% and sales tax of 5.60%. 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 Mesa?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 compared to $66,000 in Mesa. 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 Mesa?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $365,000 in Mesa — a difference of $110,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Arizona averages 0.51%.