San Antonio vs El Paso: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in San Antonio, Texas compare to El Paso, Texas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: El Paso is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 24% higher in San Antonio compared to El Paso, while rent is 22% higher.
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | El Paso, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $198,000 | $159,300 | +24.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,189 | $976 | +21.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $59,593 | $55,710 | +7.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,148 | $27,434 | +13.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 8.2% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 1,445,662 | 677,181 | +113.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Antonio
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — El Paso
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in San Antonio costs $198,000 compared to $159,300 in El Paso — a 24% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,189/mo in San Antonio vs $976/mo in El Paso.
- Income: Median household income is $59,593 in San Antonio and $55,710 in El Paso.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).