HomeCompare › San Antonio, TX vs San Diego, CA

Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs San Diego, CA

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

46.7% San Diego, CA is more expensive overall
104.9% 104.9% more expensive housing
17.4% 17.4% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 104.9% more
San Antonio
82
San Diego
168
🛒 Groceries 17.4% more
San Antonio
92
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation 25.5% more
San Antonio
94
San Diego
118
🏥 Healthcare 20.4% more
San Antonio
93
San Diego
112
⚡ Utilities 3.0% more
San Antonio
101
San Diego
104

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX San Diego, CA Difference
Overall Cost Index9013246.7% more
Housing82168104.9% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$2,300119.0% more
Median Home Price$255,000$820,000221.6% more
Groceries9210817.4% more
Transportation9411825.5% more
Healthcare9311220.4% more
Utilities1011043.0% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX San Diego, CA
State Income TaxNone (0%)13.30% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%7.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.71%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
San Diego, CA
$89,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in San Diego outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs San Diego (132). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
San Diego4.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
San Diego2.9%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
San Diego25 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
San Diego51
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
San Diego45
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
San Diego64°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
San Diego1,381,611

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or San Diego cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 104.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs San Diego?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $2,300/month in San Diego — a difference of about $1,250 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or San Diego?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 San Diego?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 compared to $89,000 in San Diego. 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 San Diego?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $820,000 in San Diego — a difference of $565,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while California averages 0.71%.