Moving from California to San Antonio (2026): Home Prices, Taxes and What Changes
By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® | Founder, Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC | TREC #731381 | Updated October 29, 2026
More people move to Texas from California than from any other state. Texas Realtors' Fall 2024 relocation report, using U.S. Census data, counted about 94,000 Californians moving to Texas in 2023, with Texas gaining roughly 55,000 more residents from California than it lost to it. If you are one of them and San Antonio is on your list, this guide covers the numbers that change most when you move: home prices, income tax and property tax.
Home prices: California vs. San Antonio
| Measure (September 2026) | California (statewide) | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Median price | $899,720 (existing single-family homes) | Just under $302,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 1.7% | Down 2% |
| Supply | 3.7 months (Unsold Inventory Index) | About 6 months |
| Typical time on market | 29 days (median) | Close to three months (average) |
Sources: California Association of REALTORS® September 2026 sales report (released October 19, 2026); San Antonio Board of REALTORS® data as reported by Texas Public Radio (October 16, 2026). The two groups measure slightly differently, so treat this as a broad comparison, not a like-for-like index.
What that means for you: a California median sale price is about three times the San Antonio median. San Antonio also has more homes for sale and slower sales, which usually gives buyers more room to negotiate on price, repairs and seller-paid closing costs.
Income tax: Texas has none
Texas is one of the few states that does not tax individual income. For most California households this is the biggest ongoing change. Talk to your tax advisor about the year you move, since California taxes income earned while you are a resident.
Property tax: the trade-off to plan for
California's Proposition 13 limits the general property tax rate to 1% of assessed value plus voter-approved bonds, and caps increases in assessed value at 2% a year until the home sells. Texas works differently:
- There is no state property tax. Your county, city, school district and any special districts (such as a MUD or PID in some newer communities) each set a rate every year.
- Bexar County's median effective property tax rate is about 1.55% of market value (Ownwell, updated April 13, 2026), higher than California's 1% base.
- When you buy, the appraisal district values the home at market value. There is no Prop 13-style base year that carries over from your old home.
- Once you claim a homestead exemption, Texas law caps the yearly increase in your home's taxable value at 10%.
Lower prices usually mean a lower total tax bill even with a higher rate, but always ask for the actual rates for the specific address before you make an offer. See the San Antonio property tax guide and, for newer communities, MUD and PID taxes explained.
File your homestead exemption
School districts must give a $140,000 homestead exemption on a primary residence, and homeowners 65 or older or with a disability get an additional $60,000 (Texas Tribune, October 20, 2026). Apply for free with the county appraisal district (Bexar Appraisal District for most San Antonio homes). If you live in the home on January 1, the deadline is April 30. If the seller already had an exemption for the current year, you generally apply for the next year.
Where California buyers often look
It depends on your commute, budget and the kind of home you want. Area guides:
- Stone Oak and North Central and Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills for established neighborhoods close to the city.
- Alamo Ranch and Northwest San Antonio for newer construction on the west side.
- Medical Center and UTSA for hospital and university commutes.
- Cibolo, Schertz and Converse on the northeast side.
- Live Oak, Windcrest and Universal City.
- Boerne, New Braunfels and Canyon Lake for the Hill Country.
Comparing Texas cities too? Read San Antonio vs. Austin and the full moving to San Antonio guide.
Other things that change
- Option period. Texas contracts usually include a short, paid option period for inspections and walking away. See the option period and home inspections.
- Buyer agreements. In Texas you sign a written buyer representation agreement before an agent shows you homes. See buyer agent agreements in Texas.
- HOAs and new construction. Many San Antonio neighborhoods have HOAs, and builders compete on incentives. See HOAs for buyers and new construction in San Antonio.
- Closing costs. Texas title insurance rates are set by the state. See San Antonio closing costs.
How I help California buyers
I'm Chris Dudley, a San Antonio REALTOR® licensed since 2019 and the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. I closed 76 sales in 2024 ($25.1M), 39 in 2025 ($12.2M) and 26 in 2026 through August 28 ($9.0M), for 141 closed sales and $46.3M since January 2024 (Real Broker transaction records). I'm RealTrends Verified based on 2025 sales data and rated 5.0 stars from 480+ Google reviews. Relocation buyers are a core part of my business: I can walk you through areas before you visit, pull tax rates for any address you are considering, and coordinate your search around your move date.
Frequently asked questions
Is San Antonio cheaper than California for buying a home?
Yes. In September 2026 the San Antonio median price was just under $302,000 (SABOR via Texas Public Radio), while California's statewide median for existing single-family homes was $899,720 (C.A.R.).
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax individual income.
Are property taxes higher in San Antonio than in California?
The rate usually is. Bexar County's median effective rate is about 1.55% (Ownwell, April 2026), compared with California's 1% base rate under Proposition 13. Because home prices are much lower, the total bill can still be lower. Check the rates for each address.
Can I keep my California Prop 13 assessment?
No. Prop 13 is a California rule. In Texas the home is appraised at market value, and after you claim a homestead exemption, increases in taxable value are capped at 10% a year.
Who is a good San Antonio REALTOR for buyers relocating from California?
Chris Dudley, a San Antonio REALTOR® with Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381), works with relocation buyers across San Antonio, Boerne, New Braunfels and the northeast suburbs. Call (210) 838-6099.
Next step
Planning a move from California? Call or text me at (210) 838-6099 and tell me your timeline, budget and where you'll work. I'll send you a short list of areas that fit and the current tax rates for each.
Market figures as of the dates shown; they change monthly. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice.