San Antonio, TX vs Oklahoma City, OK

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Oklahoma City, OK spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 6% higher in Oklahoma City, OK.

$62,917
Income in San Antonio
$66,702
Income in Oklahoma City
$1,258
Rent in San Antonio
$1,083
Rent in Oklahoma City

Detailed Comparison

Metric
San Antonio, TX
Oklahoma City, OK
Difference
Median Household Income
$62,917
$66,702
6% higher
Median Home Value
$219,700
$215,100
2% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,258
$1,083
14% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,235
$1,133
8% less
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
4.6%
19% less
Population
1,458,954
688,693

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 Oklahoma City, OK, the figure is 19.5% , making Oklahoma City, OK 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 Oklahoma City, OK, it's 3.2x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Oklahoma City, OK.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,235 in San Antonio and $1,133 in Oklahoma City. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in San Antonio, TX is $62,917; in Oklahoma City, OK it is $66,702. That's a $3,785 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 5.7% in San Antonio and 4.6% in Oklahoma City. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.0% in San Antonio versus 52.4% in Oklahoma City.

Population

San Antonio, TX has a population of 1,458,954, making it the larger of the two cities. Oklahoma City, OK has 688,693 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