San Antonio, TX vs Cleveland, OH

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in San Antonio, TX spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 38% higher in San Antonio, TX. Home prices in San Antonio, TX run 57% higher. San Antonio, TX has the lower unemployment rate.

$62,917
Income in San Antonio
$39,187
Income in Cleveland
$1,258
Rent in San Antonio
$894
Rent in Cleveland

Detailed Comparison

Metric
San Antonio, TX
Cleveland, OH
Difference
Median Household Income
$62,917
$39,187
38% lower
Median Home Value
$219,700
$94,100
57% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,258
$894
29% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,235
$866
30% less
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
11.4%
100% more
Population
1,458,954
367,523

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In San Antonio, TX, renters allocate roughly 24.0% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Cleveland, OH, the figure is 27.4% , making San Antonio, TX the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In San Antonio, TX, that ratio is 3.5x. Homes cost 3.5 times the median annual income. In Cleveland, OH, it's 2.4x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Cleveland, OH.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,235 in San Antonio and $866 in Cleveland. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in San Antonio, TX is $62,917; in Cleveland, OH it is $39,187. That's a $23,730 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 5.7% in San Antonio and 11.4% in Cleveland. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.0% in San Antonio versus 48.7% in Cleveland.

Population

San Antonio, TX has a population of 1,458,954, making it the larger of the two cities. Cleveland, OH has 367,523 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov