Side-by-side comparison

San Antonio vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for San Antonio, Texas and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Houston is approximately 3% more expensive than San Antonio. A single person needs about $3,185/mo in Houston versus $3,102/mo in San Antonio.

Rent in San Antonio vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Antonio · Studio

$1,116

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Houston is $110 (10%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · 1 bedroom

$1,231

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Houston is $48 (4%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · 2 bedroom

$1,501

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Houston is $28 (2%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · 3 bedroom

$1,907

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Houston is $131 (7%) higher than San Antonio

Income & earnings in San Antonio vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Antonio · Household income

$70,571

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Houston is $2,533 (4%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Individual earnings

$39,582

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Houston is $2,156 (5%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Per capita

$35,795

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Houston is $4,183 (12%) higher than San Antonio

Home values in San Antonio vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

San Antonio · Average home value

$244,100

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Houston is $10,900 (4%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Annual property tax

$4,429

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

San Antonio is $47 (1%) higher than Houston

Energy in San Antonio vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Antonio · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

San Antonio · Monthly gas

$32

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

San Antonio · Annual total

$2,388

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

Healthcare in San Antonio vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Antonio · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

San Antonio · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

San Antonio · Uninsured rate

15.9%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 5.3% (33%) higher than San Antonio

Taxes in San Antonio vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

San Antonio · State income tax

0.0%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

San Antonio · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

San Antonio · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

San Antonio and Houston are about the same

Transportation in San Antonio vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

San Antonio · Average commute

25.8 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 3.2 min (12%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Drive alone

70.7%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 1.7% (2%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Public transit

1.6%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Houston is 0.5% (31%) higher than San Antonio

Monthly cost estimates in San Antonio vs Houston

All categories combined.

San Antonio · Single person

$3,102

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Houston is $83 (3%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Couple

$4,467

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Houston is $69 (2%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Family

$7,015

Houston · Family

$7,187

Houston is $172 (2%) higher than San Antonio

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Antonio and Houston.

Is San Antonio or Houston more expensive?

Houston is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,102/mo in San Antonio, Texas and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Antonio, Texas is $1,231/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Houston is approximately $48 (4%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Antonio or Houston?

Houston has the higher average household income. San Antonio households earn approximately $70,571 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on San Antonio and Houston

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

San Antonio profile Houston profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.