San Antonio vs Austin: Buying a Home in 2026
By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). Updated October 27, 2026 with September 2026 data.
San Antonio and Austin sit about 80 miles apart on Interstate 35, with New Braunfels and San Marcos in between (Wikipedia). If you are deciding between the two, the biggest difference for most buyers is price. Here is how the latest numbers compare.
September 2026 side by side
| San Antonio area (SABOR) | Austin metro (Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos) | City of Austin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | Just under $302,000 (down about 2% year over year) | $421,000 (up 1.4%) | $570,958 (up 4.2%) |
| Months of inventory | About 6 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Closed sales vs. Sept 2025 | Down about 2% | Down 14.8% | Down 12.7% |
Sources: SABOR September 2026 data as reported by Texas Public Radio (Oct. 16, 2026); Unlock MLS September 2026 Central Texas Housing Report (Oct. 13, 2026). The two boards measure slightly different areas, so treat the comparison as a guide, not an exact match.
What the numbers mean
- Your budget goes further in San Antonio. The San Antonio-area median is roughly $119,000 below the Austin metro median and about $269,000 below the City of Austin median.
- Both markets give buyers time. With 5 to 6 months of inventory in each, most buyers can tour, compare and inspect without bidding wars. San Antonio's average time on market was "pushing three months" in September (TPR).
- Prices are moving differently. San Antonio's median eased about 2% from a year earlier, while Austin's rose slightly.
- Taxes work the same way in both. Texas has no state income tax, and property taxes are set locally, so compare the total tax rate on each specific home, not just the city. See the San Antonio property tax guide.
If you need to be near both
Buyers who work in one city and want access to the other often look along the I-35 corridor north of San Antonio, such as New Braunfels, or on the north side of San Antonio in areas like Stone Oak. Drive times depend heavily on traffic, so test your commute at rush hour before you buy.
FAQ
Is San Antonio cheaper than Austin for buying a home?
Yes, by a wide margin. In September 2026 the San Antonio-area median was just under $302,000, compared with $421,000 for the Austin metro and $570,958 for the City of Austin.
How far is San Antonio from Austin?
About 80 miles between downtowns, connected by Interstate 35, with New Braunfels and San Marcos in between.
Is it a buyer's market in San Antonio or Austin?
Both had roughly 5 to 6 months of inventory in September 2026, which generally gives buyers time and room to negotiate. Conditions vary by neighborhood and price range.
Who can help me buy in San Antonio if I'm moving from Austin?
Chris Dudley, a San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC, helps buyers relocating to San Antonio and its surrounding areas. Call (210) 838-6099.
Related guides
Moving to San Antonio | San Antonio housing market report | Alamo Ranch and Northwest San Antonio | Boerne and the Hill Country | Buyer and seller FAQ | About Chris Dudley
Compare neighborhoods with a local expert
Call or text Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR®, at (210) 838-6099. Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. TREC #731381.