Cost of Living in San Antonio, TX

Population 1,458,954 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a population over half a million, San Antonio functions as the economic anchor for a much larger metropolitan region.

Cost Overview

Housing 72
Rent 96

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in San Antonio

The median home value in San Antonio is $219,700 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,258/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,917/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 80.3°F and lows of 58.9°F. Overall, San Antonio has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$219,700
28% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$247,131
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,258/mo
4% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,361/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 52.4%
Renter-occupied 47.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,258
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,872/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.7 min
1% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.5%
Carpooled
12.1%
Public transit
2.1%
Walked
1.7%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
11.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$62,917
16% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,983
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
21% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor Force Participation
65.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.7%
Graduate degree 11.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.6
Male median age 33.5
Female median age 35.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
80.3°F
Avg Low
58.9°F
Annual Precip
32.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.2"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 636874808792959690827265
Low °F 414552586673757570605042
Precip" 1.961.742.312.424.403.282.412.153.883.752.082.00
Snow" 0.00.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
44.9%
Good air days/yr
309
Max AQI recorded
223
PM2.5 days
141
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in San Antonio, TX?

San Antonio has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in San Antonio, TX?

The median gross rent in San Antonio is $1,258 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in San Antonio?

The median home value in San Antonio is $219,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in San Antonio?

The median household income in San Antonio is $62,917 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in San Antonio, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in San Antonio is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is San Antonio, TX affordable?

Yes, San Antonio is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in San Antonio?

San Antonio has average high temperatures of 80.3°F and average lows of 58.9°F. Annual precipitation is 32.4". Average annual snowfall is 0.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

San Antonio at a Glance

Population
1,458,954
Median Income
$62,917
Home Value
$219,700
Median Rent
$1,258/mo
Unemployment
5.8%
Avg High Temp
80.3°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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