City cost comparison
San Antonio vs Houston
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing San Antonio, TX against Houston, TX.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $595 | $672 | +11% cheaper in San Antonio |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,012 | $1,127 | +10% cheaper in San Antonio |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $536 | $571 | +6% cheaper in San Antonio |
| FoodPer child / month | $288 | $310 | +7% cheaper in San Antonio |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $69 | $76 | +9% cheaper in San Antonio |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.