Austin, TX vs San Antonio, TX

The cost of living difference between Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX is dramatic. San Antonio is 42% cheaper than Austin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Austin has a cost index of 127 while San Antonio sits at 89, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Austin is $1,655/month compared to $1,258/month in San Antonio — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Antonio is more affordable at $219,700 median vs $512,700.

Median household income in Austin is $91,461 compared to $62,917 in San Antonio (+45.4%). While Austin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in San Antonio.