Dallas vs San Antonio

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Dallas vs San Antonio

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while San Antonio sits at 78 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $250,000 in San Antonio, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,200 in San Antonio.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while San Antonio scores 93.

Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) are higher than San Antonio (95). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $53,420 in San Antonio. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in San Antonio.

Relocating: Dallas vs San Antonio

If you are considering a move between Dallas (index: 103) and San Antonio (index: 90), the 13% cost difference has real implications for your budget. San Antonio is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Dallas can afford $1,277/month, while the median household in San Antonio can afford $1,246/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Dallas versus $250,000 in San Antonio, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,500/month in Dallas and $1,200/month in San Antonio, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in San Antonio where costs are 10% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Dallas (103) vs San Antonio (90)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Dallas at 103 is 3% above the US average, while San Antonio at 90 is 10% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.

For renters: With median rents of $1,500/month in Dallas and $1,200/month in San Antonio, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $60,000 difference in median home prices between Dallas and San Antonio translates to roughly $3,600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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