Cost of Living in San Antonio, TX 2023
San Antonio is an excellent representation of everything Texas has to offer. The city boasts an incredible sports team, mild weather year-round, good eats, and much more.
That’s why it’s not surprising that so many people are flocking to the home of the Alamo.
If you want to count yourself among those moving to San Antonio, you’ll need to know how the cost of living in San Antonio differs from your current city’s.
Luckily, this guide will break down everything you need to know about the cost of living in San Antonio.
San Antonio Housing Costs
In excellent news for new renters, San Antonio is an affordable city because its housing costs are relatively low for a city of its size.
According to our San Antonio rent report, a one-bedroom apartment in San Antonio costs $1,049. A two-bedroom apartment in San Antonio costs $1,297.
Renting an apartment in one of the more popular San Antonio neighborhoods means higher rent prices, but generally, living in the city won’t break the bank.
Rents have increased by 4.1% in a year-over-year comparison. So, if you’re looking for a deal, you can save on housing costs by looking for units advertised with San Antonio apartments with move-in specials.
San Antonio Transportation
Once you get to the city, you’ll have to find a way to get around.
Unfortunately, if you’re looking to walk or bike around the city, the experience may be lacking. San Antonio boasts a 37 walk score and a 45 bike score according to Walk Score.
In short, you’ll need a personal vehicle to get around the city.
If you’re dead set on avoiding relying on a personal vehicle to get around (gas prices — we get it!), San Antonio may not be the best city for you.
The city has a low 31 transit score. However, waiting a little longer between stops and longer commute times may be worth it for the savings.
An annual public transit pass costs $365, saving you money on car insurance, maintenance expenses, and gas.
According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a single adult spends $5,509 on transportation annually. For a family of four with two working adults and two children, annual transportation costs rise to $15,012.
All things considered, that annual bus pass seems like a pretty good deal.
San Antonio Food Costs
Eating is a basic need that takes a pretty substantial chunk out of your annual budget.
A single adult spends an average of $3,351 on groceries annually, while a family of four spends $9,856.
If you’re looking for low-cost groceries, San Antonio residents swear by H-E-B and Sprouts.
Beyond groceries, San Antonio is a place of culinary delights. Its proximity to Mexico means you can find delicious authentic Mexican cuisine throughout the city.
Moreover, as a southern state, Texas is home to delectable Deep South treats.
In short, be prepared with a fully-funded takeout budget.
According to market data, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is $18, while you can expect to pay $65 for a nicer, two-person dinner.
However, if you plan on tackling San Antonio’s dating scene, be aware that there are better cities for singles out there. For example, Austin, Texas, is the place to be for singles in Texas!
San Antonio Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs significantly vary from person to person. However, the consensus is that paying for healthcare is expensive.
As the average single San Antonio resident spends $2,549 annually on healthcare costs, while the average family of four spends $9,016, that’s not an inaccurate assessment.
That said, it’s possible to get low-cost health insurance to help reduce the financial impact of your medical costs.
Head over to Healthcare.gov to view a marketplace for low-to-no-cost health insurance.
Just be aware that you may have to wait until open enrollment to register for coverage. Open enrollment typically starts in November and ends mid-January.
San Antonio Utilities
When you move to a new locale, it can be challenging to estimate your utility costs. Luckily, San Antonio residents enjoy a relatively low monthly bill for basic utilities.
Although one would expect the blazing Texas heat to drive utility costs up, the total average utility bill in San Antonio is $205.61 per month for electricity, gas, water, and fuel.
When you consider the national average utility bill, which sits at $240 per month, you’ll likely enjoy some savings in that department, especially if you’re moving from another state.
That said, your utility bills also extend to your cell phone and internet service, meaning you’ll have to consider their costs when creating your budget.
The average cell phone bill for a single adult in the US is $114, while the average internet service bill sits around $30-$70 a month. In San Antonio, you'll pay $75.48, which will bring up the cost of your average utility bill to $281.09.
If you’re looking to save on these bills, you could consider bundling these services.
Many service providers offer discounts for bundled services and may even throw in some bonuses for new customers. It wouldn’t hurt to have your Netflix subscription covered for a year.
Fitness and Entertainment
Spending money isn’t exactly hard in San Antonio. The city offers so many entertainment and recreation options. You’d be hard-pressed finding enough time to experience them all.
However, all that fun can have a pretty significant impact on the budget. Entertainment costs run single San Antonio residents $1,811 annually, while a family of four spends $4,127.
Here’s a look at how San Antonio residents spend their money on fitness and entertainment.
Fitness Costs in San Antonio
If you’re a fitness lover, San Antonio isn’t lacking when it comes to gyms.
San Antonio’s gym memberships are relatively affordable at just $37.35 on average.
That said, the fantastic weather and plethora of local parks mean you can get your fitness fix without spending a dime.
Head out for a walk or run in your neighborhood to run some of the extra calories you’ll consume after visiting a Southern restaurant.
Head North of Downtown to Brackenridge Park
Brackenridge Park is one of the most popular public parks in San Antonio.
Within its 340+ acres of land, you’ll find traditional park features, including baseball fields, children’s playgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and more.
Brackenridge Park is also home to the San Antonio Zoo, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and the Witte Museum.
The San Antonio Zoo offers a full day’s worth of adventure. With tons of animals, food stands, and a mini-train ride, this zoo is the perfect destination for an unforgettable day.
Adult standard admission tickets cost $31.99 per person. If you plan on bringing a child over the age of three, you’ll pay an additional $27.99.
The Japanese Garden is free to visit (and pet-friendly!). However, if you’re visiting the Witte Museum, expect to pay $14 to cover general admission.
Catch a San Antonio Spurs Game
The San Antonio Spurs are the only major league professional sports team in the city. However, that only partially explains the team’s popularity.
With five championships in the past two decades, they’ve earned every bit of their hometown love.
Additionally, the Spurs play downtown in the AT&T arena, which is why it’s considered one of the best neighborhoods in San Antonio.
If you want to catch a bit of the action, expect to pay $97 on average. However, that number will vary greatly depending on the opponent and how close you want to be to the action.
If you want to save money on a ticket and stay close to the action, head to one of the city’s many sports bars.
Other Expenses to Consider in San Antonio
Your budget for your move to San Antonio should be as comprehensive as possible, meaning you’ll have to consider some of the “hidden costs” of living in the city. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some hidden expenses to consider when moving to San Antonio.
- Income Taxes: One of the most important things to know before moving to San Antonio is that Texas doesn’t collect a state income tax. It’s in the minority of states that don’t collect income taxes. This can be a major plus if you're moving from out of state!
- State Sales Tax: Although San Antonio doesn’t levy a state income tax, they charge a 6.25% state sales tax.
- San Antonio Collective Sales Tax: San Antonio imposes a collective sales tax of 8.25%, including the state’s sales tax.
What Salary Do You Need to Live in San Antonio?
As a general rule, individuals shouldn’t spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs to live comfortably.
The median rent price for a one-bedroom in San Antonio is $1,049, which means a single adult should earn at least $42,080 to live comfortably in San Antonio.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in San Antonio is $55,084, which leaves plenty of breathing room considering the recommended salary.
If you’re not interested in doing the math (we don’t blame you), you can use our rent calculator to help you determine how much you can afford to pay in rent each month.
Final Thoughts
Moving to San Antonio isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a great option for anyone looking to live in a major city without spending major city money.
Take our quiz if you’re ready to get started on your San Antonio apartment search!
If San Antonio isn't for you, consider other Texan cities:
FAQs: What to Know About the Cost of Living in San Antonio in 2023
How expensive is an apartment in San Antonio?
A 1 bedroom apartment in San Antonio costs $1,049. A 2 bedroom apartment in San Antonio costs $1,297.
What is the cheapest rent in San Antonio?
A one-bedrom apartment is the cheapest rent in San Antonio. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Antonio is $1,049.
How expensive is it to live in San Antonio?
Living in San Antonio is relatively inexpensive. In San Antonio, rent averages $1,049 for a one-bedroom apartment. Transportation costs in San Antonio amount to $5,509 a year. Food costs $3,351 a year on average for a single resident of San Antonio.
How far is San Antonio from Dallas?
San Antonio is 274 miles away from Dallas. It takes 4 hours and 5 minutes to get to Dallas from San Antonio by car, 25 hours by bike, and 93 hours by foot.
How far is Houston from San Antonio?
San Antonio is 197 miles away from Houston. It takes 2 hours and 59 minutes to get to Houston from San Antonio by car, 18 hours by bike, and 69 hours by foot.
How far is Austin from San Antonio?
San Antonio is 80 miles away from Austin. It takes 1 hour and 14 minutes to get to Austin from San Antonio by car, 8 hours by bike, and 27 hours by foot.
How far is El Paso from San Antonio?
San Antonio is 552 miles away from El Paso. It takes 7 hours and 53 minutes to get to El Paso from San Antonio by car, 47 hours by bike, and 187 hours by foot.
What is the population of San Antonio?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, The population of San Antonio is 1,451,853. It is the third-largest metropolitan area within the state of Texas.
What is a good salary in San Antonio?
The recommended salary in San Antonio is $3,506 per month or $42,080 annually. This total reflects a salary that would allow a renter to live comfortably and afford to cover the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment which sits at $1,052. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in San Antonio is $55,084.
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