How Much Does It Cost to Live In San Antonio, TX?
San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas and 7th largest in the United States.
It’s also the 24th largest metropolitan area in the country.
San Antonio is a pretty laid-back place that many people still refer to as a town even though it is a large city.
It’s a good place to raise a family, the people are friendly and the climate is relatively mild.
San Antonio offers a big-city feel with a small-town price: it’s got affordable housing, low-income tax, and a competitive local market that appeals to young families and makes it a hub for many startups.
United States : Cost of Living by City
- Albany, NY
- Albuquerque, NM
- Anchorage, AK
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Arlington, TX
- Asheville, NC
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Bakersfield, CA
- Baltimore, MD
- Bellevue, WA
- Bellingham, WA
- Berkeley, CA
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise, ID
- Boston, MA
- Boulder, CO
- Brooklyn, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Burlington, VT
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbia, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Dayton, OH
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- El Paso, TX
- Eugene, OR
- Everett, WA
- Fayetteville, AR
- Fort Myers, FL
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Fort Worth, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Gainesville, FL
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greensboro, NC
- Hartford, CT
- Honolulu, HI
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, AL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Irvine, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Jersey City, NJ
- Kansas City, MO
- Knoxville, TN
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Little Rock, AR
- Long Beach, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Lubbock, TX
- Madison, WI
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- Oakland, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Olympia, WA
- Orlando, FL
- Peoria, IL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, ME
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Richmond, VA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Saint Louis, MO
- Saint Paul, MN
- Saint Petersburg, FL
- Salem, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Springfield, MO
- Syracuse, NY
- Tacoma, WA
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Toledo, OH
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Vancouver, WA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Wichita, KS
RESTAURANTS
There are many overpriced chain restaurants in San Antonio, like Planet Hollywood.
The downtown area has been completely renovated many years ago with the scenic “river-walk” and is home to many upscale hotels and restaurants where you can go fine dining in more expensive restaurants.
Also, the people of San Antonio have more Tex-Mex restaurants per capita than any other city in the world.
MARKETS
There are several farmer’s markets for some great produce in San Antonio as well.
For example, there’s one every Saturday right next to the Culinary Institute of America right downtown, and here’s where you can find fresh produce for a lower price.
Many specialty and organic supermarkets exist and the prices are such that you’ll definitely save a bunch of money if you opt for cooking.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus fares range from about 1.20$ to 2.50$ while a daily pass costs 4$.
A monthly big pass includes unlimited rides on all regular, express and streetcar services throughout the month, for 35$.
Students also have the right to a semester pass for 35$.
While San Antonio doesn’t have fast transportation like a metro system, the bus system is very reliable, accurate and reasonably priced.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities aren’t too cheap in San Antonio, in fact, they’re more expensive than in, for example, Dallas.
The cost of utilities there amounts to over 205$ per month for basic ones like electricity, water, cooling, heating, and garbage services in an apartment of 85m2.
This is probably due to the high usage of AC during Texas’ scorching hot summers.
SPORTS & LEISURE
There are plenty of parks and bike routes in San Antonio, and gyms scattered everywhere.
Over the past 7-10 years, city leaders have invested heavily in area parks, green belts, and river walk expansion making for a health/fit consciousness.
Still, if you prefer gyms and fitness centers, a month of going to the gym or being a member of a fitness club will cost you around 50$.
CLOTHING & SHOES
San Antonio has been ranked as one of the top 25 cities for shopping in the U.S. for its “options, ease, and affordability.”
Of course, the most scenic place to shop is the River Walk which consists of shops, food, and entertainment.
The prices are standard, as in the rest of America: quality jeans cost around 56$, while summer dresses and shirts are around 46$.
Running sneakers remain around 86$.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent in San Antonio is the highest of any city in Texas, it even made the news!
Now, even though this sounds appalling, the prices are really not as bad as it sounds, probably because Texas has a lower standard than other major US countries.
If you want to live in a decent city area, you’re looking at around 1500$ for a one-bedroom apartment.
Cost of Living Averages Table for San Antonio, TX
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $5.00 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.96 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.07 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.82 |
| Eggs (12) | $4.41 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $2.00 |
| Monthly Pass | $38.00 |
| Gasoline | $0.87 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $205.60 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.11 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $77.88 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $50.38 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $19.18 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $14.00 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $56.03 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $46.1 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $86.60 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1499.45 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $1211.7 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $2830.00 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in San Antonio, TX?
The good thing about San Antonio is that the saving potential is huge compared to some other expensive major cities in America – since the cost of living is low, while wages are reasonable.
As for the expenses, the biggest chunk of the paycheck of San Antonio’s citizens gets spent on rent – which makes sense, just look at all those high prices.
The next huge expense is food, since it’s always a significant financial burden for anyone, even though in this particular city the cost of groceries is pretty low.
As much as 12% of one’s entire salary gets spent on restaurants.
Average Costs Breakdown
San Antonio, TX: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
From a business perspective, San Antonio’s economy is diverse.
Retail trade, healthcare, tourism, military/government, cyber technology, oil and gas, and construction – all contribute to a vibrant local economy.
San Antonio is a relatively inexpensive place to live compared to many other cities of its size and especially compared to the paychecks.
Average monthly salaries in San Antonio are well over 4500$ which is definitely enough for a nice life in this city, while minimum wages move along the lines of 1200$.
San Antonio Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: San Antonio Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
