City Comparison

San Antonio vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

San Antonio

Texas
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$53,420
Median Income

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

5.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.9%, with Tyler being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in San Antonio has equivalent purchasing power to $70,833 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
78
San Antonio
69
Tyler
Groceries
93
San Antonio
96
Tyler
Utilities
96
San Antonio
97
Tyler
Transportation
101
San Antonio
92
Tyler
Healthcare
95
San Antonio
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in San Antonio has the same purchasing power as $70,833 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $79,412 in San Antonio.

Living in San Antonio vs Tyler

Housing Costs

San Antonio's housing index of 78 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $250,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in San Antonio compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 93 in San Antonio and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in San Antonio vs $456/month in Tyler. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in San Antonio and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in San Antonio vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in San Antonio and 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,356 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In San Antonio, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 5.9% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in San Antonio has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,833 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
San Antonio's housing index is 78 with median homes at $250,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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