Sacramento vs San Antonio: cost of living compared
San Antonio is 31% cheaper than Sacramento overall. San Antonio (TX) has no state income tax; CA tops out around 9.3%.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Comparing Sacramento and San Antonio reveals a substantial difference in the overall cost of living. Sacramento is noticeably more expensive across the board, with its cost index significantly higher than the national average. San Antonio, in contrast, offers a much more affordable environment, with its overall cost index well below the national average. This considerable gap is primarily driven by housing expenses, which are dramatically higher in the California metro.
Housing
Housing costs present the most significant divergence between these two cities. Median home prices in Sacramento are considerably higher than in San Antonio, and a similar pattern holds for median one-bedroom rental rates. While property taxes in Texas can be higher than in California, the initial purchase price and ongoing mortgage payments for a home in Sacramento will likely be substantially greater. San Antonio often features newer construction and more expansive properties.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses also show a clear distinction. Sacramento residents face a state income tax, which is absent in Texas, impacting take-home pay. Beyond that, costs for transportation, groceries, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably higher in Sacramento compared to San Antonio. This means that nearly every aspect of daily spending, from filling your pantry to powering your home, will be more economical in the Texas city.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, lifestyle differences are notable. Sacramento enjoys a Mediterranean climate with dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters, while San Antonio experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and generally mild winters. Both metros are largely car-dependent, though Sacramento has some public transit options. Commute times are roughly similar. San Antonio often feels more spread out, while Sacramento has a slightly denser urban core.
Bottom line
Moving from Sacramento to San Antonio would likely result in a substantial reduction in household expenses, primarily due to much lower housing costs and the absence of a state income tax. Conversely, a move to Sacramento would entail a significantly higher cost of living across all major categories. Understanding these fundamental price differences is crucial for anyone weighing a relocation between these two distinct metropolitan areas.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 128 | 88 |
| Housing index | 132 | 71 |
| Transportation index | 110 | 95 |
| Food index | 108 | 88 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 92 |
| Utilities index | 125 | 102 |
| Misc index | 105 | 85 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $248,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,750/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Average commute | 30 min | 27 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific San Antonio home with the True Cost Calculator.