Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

20.0% Philadelphia, PA is more expensive overall
34.1% 34.1% more expensive housing
15.2% 15.2% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 34.1% more
San Antonio
82
Philadelphia
110
🛒 Groceries 15.2% more
San Antonio
92
Philadelphia
106
🚗 Transportation 19.1% more
San Antonio
94
Philadelphia
112
🏥 Healthcare 12.9% more
San Antonio
93
Philadelphia
105
⚡ Utilities 6.9% more
San Antonio
101
Philadelphia
108

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Philadelphia, PA Difference
Overall Cost Index9010820.0% more
Housing8211034.1% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,50042.9% more
Median Home Price$255,000$280,0009.8% more
Groceries9210615.2% more
Transportation9411219.1% more
Healthcare9310512.9% more
Utilities1011086.9% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Philadelphia, PA
State Income TaxNone (0%)3.07%
State Sales Tax6.25%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.36%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneYes

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Philadelphia, PA
$62,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Philadelphia costs more but median income is only slightly higher. 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 Philadelphia to maintain your San Antonio lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Philadelphia (108). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Philadelphia4.9%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Philadelphia1.8%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
PhiladelphiaHealthcare, Education, Pharma

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Philadelphia34 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Philadelphia79
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Philadelphia46
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Philadelphia56°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Philadelphia1,603,797

Moving from San Antonio to Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Philadelphia →

Compare Other Cities

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Philadelphia cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 34.1%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Philadelphia?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,500/month in Philadelphia — a difference of about $450 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Philadelphia?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Pennsylvania has a state income tax of 3.07% and sales tax of 6.00%. 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 Philadelphia?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 compared to $62,000 in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $280,000 in Philadelphia — a difference of $25,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Pennsylvania averages 1.36%.