San AntonioMoney Index August 2026
"Affordable Texas, big future."
San Antonio — Money Index — Key Facts
- Happiness Score: 67/100. Residents rate life in San Antonio a 67/100 — roughly the US average.
- 12% Savings Rate. San Antonio households save about 12% of income — close to the US average.
- 14% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 14% of San Antonio's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
- San Antonio Quirk. San Antonio's cost of living sits about 10% below the US average.
- Work-Life Balance: 62/100. San Antonio scores 62/100 on work-life balance — one of the more livable big US metros.
- Median Household: $57k. San Antonio households earn about $57k — roughly 24% below the US average.
- 25-Minute Commute. San Antonio's one-way commute averages 25 minutes — right around the US norm. Roughly 192 hours a year on the road.
- 55% Own Their Home. Only 55% of San Antonio households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Financial Stress: 52/100. Money stress in San Antonio sits at 52/100 — close to the national norm.
- Cost of Living: 91. San Antonio's cost of living sits at 91 — basically the US baseline (100 = US average).
San Antonio is one of the most affordable big cities in the US, with median earners able to buy and save.
With a median household income of ~$57k, a 12% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 91, San Antonio ranks #25 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 14% of San Antonio's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
San Antonio's average commute (~25 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical San Antonio household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to San Antonio's cost of living and savings rate.
How San Antonio feels about money
Four San Antonio money truths
San Antonio's savings rate runs 12% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
San Antonio is cheaper than the US average — your paycheck stretches noticeably further than in coastal metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Texas residents in San Antonio report a 67/100 happiness score with stress at 52/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"San Antonio's cost of living sits about 10% below the US average."
Money lessons from San Antonio
- 1
Affordability is a head start, not a finish line
- 2
Buy the boring index fund
- 3
Stack the no-state-tax advantage
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San Antonio money FAQ
Is San Antonio, Texas a good city for saving money?+
San Antonio households save about 12% of income, with a happiness score of 67/100 and a work-life balance score of 62/100. San Antonio is one of the most affordable big cities in the US, with median earners able to buy and save.
What is the median household income in San Antonio?+
The median household income in San Antonio, Texas is roughly $57,000 per year. About 46% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is San Antonio?+
San Antonio's cost of living index sits at 91 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 55%.
How long is the average commute in San Antonio?+
San Antonio's average commute (~25 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
How much urban green space does San Antonio have?+
About 14% of San Antonio's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits San Antonio?+
The Steady Hand — Calm, consistent, and remarkably hard to rattle.
What's surprising about money in San Antonio?+
San Antonio's cost of living sits about 10% below the US average.
