Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Salt Lake City, UT

Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Salt Lake City, UT

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

16.7% Salt Lake City, UT is more expensive overall
46.3% 46.3% more expensive housing
6.5% 6.5% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 46.3% more
San Antonio
82
Salt Lake City
120
🛒 Groceries 6.5% more
San Antonio
92
Salt Lake City
98
🚗 Transportation 6.4% more
San Antonio
94
Salt Lake City
100
🏥 Healthcare 3.2% more
San Antonio
93
Salt Lake City
96
⚡ Utilities 12.9% cheaper
San Antonio
101
Salt Lake City
88

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Salt Lake City, UT Difference
Overall Cost Index9010516.7% more
Housing8212046.3% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,35028.6% more
Median Home Price$255,000$475,00086.3% more
Groceries92986.5% more
Transportation941006.4% more
Healthcare93963.2% more
Utilities1018812.9% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Salt Lake City, UT
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.65%
State Sales Tax6.25%6.10%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.52%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Salt Lake City, UT
$73,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Salt Lake City outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Salt Lake City (105). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Salt Lake City2.9%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Salt Lake City3.7%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
Salt Lake CityTech, Finance, Outdoor Rec

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Salt Lake City22 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Salt Lake City57
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Salt Lake City55
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Salt Lake City52°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Salt Lake City204,657

Moving from San Antonio to Salt Lake City?

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

Compare Other Cities

San Antonio vs Austin → San Antonio vs Denver → San Antonio vs Nashville → Salt Lake City vs Raleigh → Salt Lake City vs Portland → Salt Lake City vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 46.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Salt Lake City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,350/month in Salt Lake City — a difference of about $300 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Salt Lake City?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Utah has a state income tax of 4.65% and sales tax of 6.10%. 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 Salt Lake City?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 compared to $73,000 in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $475,000 in Salt Lake City — a difference of $220,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Utah averages 0.52%.