Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or San Antonio?

San Antonio, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in San Antonio?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $43,000 in San Antonio.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or San Antonio?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); San Antonio under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Mesa vs San Antonio Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/mo est.

San Antonio

Texas

$1,270/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,460 in Mesa, AZ versus $1,270 in San Antonio, TX. Overall, San Antonio, TX is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $62,917 in San Antonio, TX — about 20% higher in Mesa, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

San Antonio, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$1,052

+13% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$1,084

+16% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$1,327

+9% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,545

+15% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$219,700

+40% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$62,917

+20% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$47,010

+9% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

34.6 yr

+2.6 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

64.4%

52.4%

+12.0 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

28.7%

+2.8 pp in Mesa, AZ

Avg Commute

25.0 min

24.6 min

+0.4 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.8

605

+25% in San Antonio, TX

Property Crime

1,487.8

4,665

+214% 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

75.1°F

68.5°F

+6.6°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

34.9 in

+26.8 in in San Antonio, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.57/gal

$3.96/gal

+29% in Mesa, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.30

+35% in Mesa, AZ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

16.4

+5% in San Antonio, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.69

$24.61

+25% in San Antonio, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Mesa, AZ

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Mesa, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / TX)

5.6%

6.25%

+0.7 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in AZ

Mesa vs San Antonio — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or San Antonio?: San Antonio, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in San Antonio?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $43,000 in San Antonio.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or San Antonio?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).