Cost of Living In San Antonio, Texas [Taxes, Housing & More]

The Lone Star State contains many sprawling cities that boast good food, nightlife, and culture. One city that embodies all of the benefits that come with living in Texas is San Antonio. Whether it be a nice chicken fried steak, or a tour of the third biggest zoo in America, San Antonio has something to offer for everyone.

The average cost of living in San Antonio for a median home is $175,400. On average, San Antonio housing costs are nearly 25% lower than the national average, and overall living costs 14% less. The average cost of renting in San Antonio is $1,049 a month compared to the national average of $1,550.

Currently, 53% of San Antonio residents own a home, and homeowners pay $0.34 per $100 of taxable value in property taxes every year. Utilities can add as much as $156 each month, which is far below other Texas cities, such as Lubbock.

Everything from food and grocery costs, gasoline prices, and public transportation affect the cost of living. Follow along as we take a close look at what plays the biggest role in how much you pay each year in San Antonio.

Another big cost of owning a house in San Antonio is property taxes. Property taxes are set at different rates from state to state, and often between cities as well. In America, the national average for property taxes is 1.08%, but the average in Texas is 1.83%.

As of 2018, the property tax rate in San Antonio is roughly $0.34-$0.35 for every $100 of taxable value for maintenance. Do not confuse market value with taxable value, as the taxable value is determined by the county and not the market.

Property owners that are 65 and older, as well as disabled people, are entitled to property tax exemptions. Disabled citizens and veterans can get up to $12,000 in exemptions, but only if they submit for them before May 1st. However, homeowners in San Antonio that are 65 or older can have up to $65,000 in property tax exemptions for their homestead.

Texas has a high homeownership rate, but San Antonio is 12-14% behind the state’s rate. Roughly 47% of San Antonio residents are renters, and monthly costs can start as low as $882. Renting is a great idea, especially if you are new to San Antonio, or are planning to be there for a limited time.

In fact, many young people rent and stay renters for years as opposed to buying, and San Antonio is a good place to do that. The low to mid-ranged monthly rent costs of San Antonio make lease living affordable and stress-free. Rent prices in San Antonio also vary based on the neighborhood.

Rent is not the only recurring cost that comes along with renting a house or an apartment. Utilities are another cost factor to consider when budgeting for the month, and cost varies from city to city. The average cost of utilities in all of Texas is $139.55, and the average in San Antonio is $156.98.

Yes, the cost of utilities is higher in San Antonio than the state average, but it’s worth noting how massive Texas is. It’s also important to remember that many areas in Texas are low income and low rent, thus keeping utilities cost low. Monthly trash removal can cost as much as $30 in San Antonio, but that is for large trash pickup.

If you’re thinking of making a move to the Lone Star State, there’s yet another incentive you may not have thought of. How does no state income tax sound? Well, the forefathers of Texas thought it sounded fairly good as well as state income tax was not a part of their constitution.

There are only 7 other states without state income taxes, such as Wyoming, Nevada, and Alaska. Texas is considered the 23rd most affordable state, and the lack of state income tax helps keep it that way.

Texas is known for countless things, but one of the bigger ones is without a doubt its food. That includes San Antonio, which is s known for its puffy tacos, barbacoa, and sweet potato fries, among others. Eating out is quite popular and all too easy in San Antonio, but groceries are the biggest food cost.

Food costs vary based on the item, its demand, and the time of the year. For example, 1 pound of apples costs between $1.70 and $2.00 or more. Residents in large Texas cities like San Antonio spend $290-$320 or more on food a month.

Roughly 32.4% of San Antonio residents are below 18 years old, and they are hopefully attending school. People living in San Antonio have to factor education into their cost of living, if they are parents, of course. Public education is the safest bet to save money while saving up for college.

If you are a San Antonio parent and have a child that wants to attend San Antonio College, that is good news. Students that are from San Antonio and live with their parents spend $8,745, while in-state but out of district students pay $12,225 a year.

San Antonio is a large city stretched out over 505 square miles. Because of that, many residents need to drive to either commute to work or get around town for convenience. Luckily, gasoline only costs between $1.55 and $1.65 per gallon for cash transactions in San Antonio.

Another cost of driving that goes without saying but adds up is car insurance. Most Texans spend $152 each month for car insurance. Each year, Texans spend an average of $1,820 or more on car insurance, but minimum coverage can cost between $400 and $500 a year.

Don’t forget that you are ultimately able to take control over your car insurance costs in San Antonio, or anywhere else. The deductibles that you choose, your driving history, and the number of past claims ultimately determine your insurance rate. With a low cost of gas and low possible insurance minimums, driving in San Antonio is not too costly.

A lot of the residents of San Antonio utilize the public transportation system, and its low cost explains why. You can ride the bus all day with unlimited stops for only $2.75, and a single trip only costs $1.30.

You can also take trains into San Antonio, and many working commuters do it. The best deal that you can find for a train ride into the city is $6, which gets you into San Antonio from San Marcos. You could also take a train from Fort Worth to San Antonio for $30 and just under 8 hours of rail travel.

Taxicab services are also available but can cost as much as $24 per hour. Base fairs for Uber rides begin at $2.55 when departing from the San Diego International Airport.

Related Questions

Is San Antonio safe?

San Antonio is safe, but both violent and property crimes are prevalent. For example, 1 out of every 25 residents faces the risk of a property crime. Violent crime is much less common however and affects 1 in 158 San Antonio natives.

Does San Antonio get hurricanes?

Yes, San Antonio does experience hurricanes, and storms such as Harvey took a serious toll on the city. Other natural disasters in San Antonio include earthquakes, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Does San Antonio get cold?

San Antonio only experiences freezing weather for roughly 16 days out of the year. It can get cold at night in San Antonio, but snowfall and frost typically thaw and melt by the afternoon. The coldest month in San Antonio is January, which hits lows of 36 and highs of 94.

San Antonio is cost-effective, has no state income tax, and a high rate of homeownership. If you choose to rent, budget yourself $1,049 for rent each month. Otherwise, you can own a home for $198,162.

San Antonio is largely safe and has great education opportunities. There is also a cheap and effective public transportation system, an airport, and taxicab services. Look out for the 8.19% sales tax, but besides that, San Antonio is a cost-effective, gorgeous, and cultured place to live.