People who live in San Antonio say it’s Texas’ best-kept secret. And most of them would like to keep it that way! That doesn’t mean they’re not open to new neighbors, though. If you’re thinking of moving to The Alamo City, you’re in good company. On average, approximately 66 people move to the city every day.
With affordable real estate and lower than average rent, combined with the big city amenities and a small-town feel, it’s no wonder San Antonio is booming.
The cost of living in San Antonio is below the national average by 7.5 percent, making a move to this city an affordable option for many. To find out if San Antonio is right for you, consider the cost of living in the following categories.
- Housing costs in San Antonio
- Food costs in San Antonio
- Utility costs in San Antonio
- Transportation costs in San Antonio
- Healthcare costs in San Antonio
- Goods and services costs in San Antonio
- Taxes in San Antonio
- How much do you need to earn in San Antonio?
Housing costs in San Antonio
The biggest part of your monthly budget is your rent. According to financial experts, the “rule of thumb” when it comes to renting is that it should make up no more than 30 percent of your monthly budget. However, according to a 2020 Harvard report, nearly 25 percent of renters spend over half their budget on rental fees.
What you decide to spend on rent is up to you and where you decide to live, which is why it’s smart to check out rental fees in various cities. You might be able to find the apartment of your dreams at an affordable rate (that doesn’t eat up half your income) in a city like San Antonio.
So, how does this city stack up? The average rent in San Antonio is 16.8 percent cheaper than the U.S. average. You can expect to pay about $1,103 per month, which is an 18.3 percent decrease from the previous year.
Of course, some neighborhoods are a bit pricier, like Downtown San Antonio. There you’ll pay a little less than $2,000 per month on rent.
Or, you might pay less if you move to a neighborhood like Woodlawn Hills, where the average rental fees are around $750 per month.
Average rent prices in cities near San Antonio
If you aren’t comfortable with the average rent in San Antonio or aren’t sure if this city is the right one for you, you still have plenty of options. Texas is full of awesome cities that have the amenities that will fit your needs — and at prices that fit your budget.
In addition to browsing through various neighborhoods in San Antonio, you can also research nearby cities, such as the following.
- Austin: $1,597
- San Marcos: $7,07
- Round Rock: $1,731
- Corpus Christi: $1,274
- Victoria: $1,097
Home prices in San Antonio
Another option is to save up your money and put a down payment on a San Antonio home. Many people feel this is a better option than renting because you’re putting your money into something that’s going to appreciate and benefit you (and potentially other members of your family) instead of simply putting money into a landlord’s pocket.
The average price for a home in San Antonio is $279,000 — an amazing price considering houses in some cities like Los Angeles, CA or Manhattan, NY go for $920,000 and $1,170,000, respectively, on average. Even Dallas, TX has significantly higher housing prices (averaging nearly $400,000).
However, San Antonio is booming, which means the housing market is very competitive right now. On average, homes sell for between 1 and 5 percent higher than the asking price and sell within 11 to 18 days.
What about your mortgage payment? Depending on your down payment and the price of the home you’re interested in, you can expect to pay at least $1,188 per month, according to Redfin. This is higher than the average rent in San Antonio, so you’ll definitely have to weigh the pros and cons of renting vs. buying.
Food costs in San Antonio
Another category that can quickly and substantially increase the cost of living in San Antonio (or any city for that matter) is food costs, which fall into two categories: groceries and eating out.
Most people will tell you that eating out is more expensive than eating at home. But for a lot of people, eating out is a necessity at times due to their busy schedule, which contributes not only to a lack of time but also to exhaustion.
Thankfully, you have plenty of dining options in San Antonio. If you’re a fan of Bon Appétit magazine, then you’ll love their recommendations, like the 2M Smokehouse, which is where you’ll find the best barbeque in Texas. But there’s more to Texas cuisine than barbeque. You’ll also find:
- Seafood
- Vegetarian restaurants
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Middle Eastern
- Italian
- Ethiopian
- Jamaican
Just to name a few!
The average cost of a meal out is around $13, though that’s for budget-friendly options. If you choose to eat at a fine dining establishment or want to have your food delivered (with delivery fees and driver tips), expect to pay much more.
Eating at home
If you’re trying to save money, you can cook most (if not all) of your meals at home. Grocery costs in San Antonio are 10 percent cheaper than the national average.
Let’s say you want to make some fried chicken with a side of corn and a coke for a fast and easy, Southern comfort meal. Your grocery bill for that meal will be around $3.82. Other cities in the country will average a bill of about $4.45. It doesn’t seem like a huge difference but when you’re doing your weekly or monthly shopping, it will add up. And you’ll really be able to see the difference when you evaluate what you spent on food over the course of a year.
Utility costs in San Antonio
Utility costs in San Antonio are also lower than the national average by 11.3 percent. Utilities are one of the most important figures to factor into the cost of living in San Antonio. They can quickly and radically increase your costs each month, including the average rent in San Antonio.
The average monthly electricity/power bill in the U.S. is $161.20. In San Antonio, the average cost is $136.97.
Other utilities include:
- Cell phone service: $6-$300 per month
- Internet: $50-$110 per month
- Water/sewer: Average is $72.38
Transportation costs in San Antonio
Another important feature of the cost of living in San Antonio is transportation. After all, you need to get to and from work and be able to run errands efficiently — and affordably — if possible.
Fortunately, transportation costs in San Antonio are 4.6 percent lower than the national average. These costs include:
- Public transit: A one-way trip on the VIA Metropolitan Transit bus costs $1.30. You can purchase a 7-day pass for $12 or a month-long pass for $38.00. The Transit Score for San Antonio is 37.
- Parking: The average parking rate in the city is $5.50 per hour or $16 for 24 hours.
- Fuel: A gallon of gas is currently around $2.43, which is 12.7 percent cheaper than the national average and 59.54 percent cheaper than the price of gas in Sacramento, CA.
- Vehicle maintenance: One of the most common maintenance fees is tire rotation and balancing. You’ll pay about $59.50 for this service in San Antonio, which is 12.7 percent higher than the U.S. average.
Another common way to get around a city is to walk or bike. While this is possible in San Antonio, the walkability and bike scores aren’t great. They are well-below average (38 and 45, respectively). However, San Antonio is trying to change that.
In addition to the mostly flat topography of the city, you’ll also have access to San Antonio B-Cycle, which is a bike-share program that has over 50 stations throughout the city. For a 30-minute ride, you can rent a bike for $3.75. Or you can purchase a monthly or annual membership for $22 per month or $100 per year.
Healthcare costs in San Antonio
Though this is an important category in which to figure out your unique cost of living in San Antonio, these prices are typically difficult to determine. The reason for this is because healthcare impacts every person differently.
Some people pay less because they’re single, healthy and have great insurance. Others pay more because they don’t have insurance. And others may pay more even if they have insurance because they must pay for the coverage of a spouse/partner and dependents and/or have chronic health conditions that require frequent trips to the doctor or regular prescription medications.
Overall, the cost of healthcare in San Antonio is 6 percent lower than the national average. If you make an appointment for your annual physical, you’ll pay $116 for that visit. In other cities in the U.S., you’ll pay around $112.81. A trip to the dentist will cost $91.33 before insurance, whereas residents of other cities will pay approximately $99.44.
Over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications range from 4.27 percent to 6.35 percent cheaper, respectively.
Goods and services costs in San Antonio
Non-essential goods and services can radically increase the cost of living in San Antonio if you’re not careful. We don’t always pay attention to these costs because, while we purchase or invest in them regularly, most aren’t a monthly expense like rent or food.
Getting a baseline idea of how much you spend each month on these items can give you a good idea of whether you can afford the average rent in San Antonio.
On average, the cost of goods and services in San Antonio is 1 percent higher than the national average. For the most part, that’s not a huge price hike but if you’re like most people, you’ll want to look for a deal to save a few bucks each month.
Here are a few price comparisons.
- Haircut: $27 in San Antonio; $20 U.S. average
- Yoga class: $18.20 in San Antonio; $15 national average
- Visit the salon: $51.70 in San Antonio; $38.64 U.S. average
- A trip to the movies: $11.88 in San Antonio; $11.12 national average
- Veterinary check-up: $50.64 in San Antonio; $52.45 U.S. average
Taxes in San Antonio
One of the perks of living in San Antonio is that there’s no state income tax. However, you’ll still have to pay sales and property taxes, and these can end up being relatively higher than average.
If you choose to purchase a home in San Antonio for the median price ($279,000), you’ll pay around $5,496 each year in residential property taxes. The property tax rate is 1.970 percent and can exponentially increase the cost of living in San Antonio, depending on your mortgage rate and the price of your home.
The sales tax rate in San Antonio is 8.25 percent, 6.25 percent of which goes to the state of Texas. If you make a $1,000 purchase, you’ll end up paying an additional $82.50 in taxes.
How much do you need to earn to live in San Antonio?
How much you need to earn depends on the total cost of living in San Antonio, most of which you’ll likely allocate to your rental or mortgage fees. Many financial experts recommend spending no more than 30 percent on this expense.
If you’re paying the average rent in San Antonio, you’ll pay $13,236 per year toward rent. If that makes up 30 percent of your budget, you’ll need to make an additional $30,884 to live comfortably. That means your total annual income needs to amount to $44,120.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average income in San Antonio is $52,455. If you make that, congratulations! You’ll be able to afford the average rent in San Antonio with a little extra leftover for an emergency fund, investments or other expenses that may increase your cost of living in San Antonio.
If you’re not sure whether you can afford to live in this fine Texas city, check out our free rental calculator to get a better idea of what you can afford.
Understanding the cost of living in San Antonio
The prospect of moving to a new city is a daunting one because there are so many unknown variables. But when you take the time to understand all the factors involved in figuring out the total cost of living in San Antonio, you’ll feel more confident about your decision to move to a new city. You’ll know that such a move is within budget, which will allow you to not only live comfortably in San Antonio but to thrive in your new hometown.
When you’re ready to make the move, make sure to check out our listings to find apartments for rent in San Antonio that are sure to make you feel at home.
