Can I Afford to Live in Austin vs San Antonio on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Austin, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (28% of take-home)
Manageable
San Antonio, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (17% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Austin
TX
San Antonio
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$6,321
1BR rent
$1,800
$1,100Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$372
$353Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$50
$48Best ✓
Utilities
$170Best ✓
$175
Internet
$65
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,864/month
$4,585/month
Both Austin and San Antonio have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Austin?

At $100K/year in Austin, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $100K a good salary in San Antonio?

At $100K/year in San Antonio, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 17% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

San Antonio leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,585/month vs $3,864/month in Austin.

Can I afford to live alone in Austin on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Austin, rent takes 28% of your take-home, leaving $3,864/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Austin vs San Antonio

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only