Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/mo est.

vs
San Antonio

Texas

$1,270/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,270 in San Antonio, TX. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Antonio, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $62,917 in San Antonio, TX. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
San Antonio, TX

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,052
+13% in San Antonio, TX
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,084
+13% in San Antonio, TX
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,327
+17% in San Antonio, TX
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$1,545
+18% in San Antonio, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$219,700
+6% in San Antonio, TX

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$62,917
+0% in Indianapolis, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$47,010
+5% in Indianapolis, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
34.6 yr
+0.5 yr in San Antonio, TX
Homeownership
55.3%
52.4%
+2.9 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
28.7%
+5.5 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
24.3 min
24.6 min
+0.3 min in San Antonio, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
605
+35% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
4,665
+39% in San Antonio, TX

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
68.5°F
+15.3°F in San Antonio, TX
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
34.9 in
+7.6 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$3.96/gal
+9% in Indianapolis, IN

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$1.30
+26% in Indianapolis, IN

Adult base one-way fare — IndyGo vs VIA Metropolitan Transit (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.9
16.4
+8% in Indianapolis, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$12.49
$24.61
+97% in San Antonio, TX

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in San Antonio, TX
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.73
+3% in Indianapolis, IN
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.56
+6% in Indianapolis, IN
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$1.90
+12% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.61
+3% in Indianapolis, IN

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / TX)
7%
6.25%
+0.8 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
None
+3.0 pp in IN

Indianapolis vs San Antonio — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or San Antonio?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below San Antonio, TX's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in San Antonio?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $43,000 in San Antonio.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or San Antonio?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); San Antonio under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).