Is it cheaper to live in San Antonio or Seattle?

San Antonio, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in San Antonio versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, San Antonio or Seattle?

San Antonio is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

San Antonio vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

San Antonio

Texas

$1,270/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,270 in San Antonio, TX versus $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, San Antonio, TX is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio, TX and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 48% higher in Seattle, WA. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

San Antonio, TX

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,052

$1,638

+56% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,084

$1,858

+71% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,327

$2,359

+78% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,545

$2,918

+89% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,700

$912,100

+315% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,917

$121,984

+94% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,010

$72,610

+54% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

35.5 yr

+0.9 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

52.4%

44.2%

+8.2 pp in San Antonio, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.7%

67.5%

+38.8 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

24.6 min

26.6 min

+2.0 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

605

787.3

+30% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

4,665

5,107.9

+9% in Seattle, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

68.5°F

53.5°F

+15.0°F in San Antonio, TX

Annual Precipitation

34.9 in

37.7 in

+2.9 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.96/gal

$5.77/gal

+46% in Seattle, WA

Area: Texas vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.30

$2.75

+112% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.4

+12% in San Antonio, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.61

$17.32

+30% in San Antonio, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Seattle, WA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (TX / WA)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

San Antonio vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in San Antonio or Seattle?: San Antonio, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in San Antonio than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in San Antonio versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, San Antonio or Seattle?: San Antonio is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).