San Antonio vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
San Antonio
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in San Antonio costs 12.6% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in San Antonio, you would need $85,833 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in San Antonio has the same purchasing power as $85,833 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $65,534 in San Antonio.
Living in San Antonio vs Surprise
Housing Costs
San Antonio's housing index of 78 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $419,000. The $169,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in San Antonio compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in San Antonio and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in San Antonio vs $475/month in Surprise. San Antonio offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in San Antonio and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in San Antonio vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in San Antonio and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,420 in San Antonio and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,356 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,246/month to housing in San Antonio vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In San Antonio, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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