FIRE in San Antonio, TX
Local insight: What makes this city unique for FIRE isn't obvious from census data alone. After running detailed cost analysis and factoring in local tax quirks, healthcare variability, and housing market dynamics, I've found the standard FIRE formulas need significant adjustment for local conditions.
San Antonio offers the lowest cost of living among major Texas cities: median homes ~$290K, no state income tax, and a strong military/healthcare job market.
| Category | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Housing (1BR) | $1,200 |
| Food | $400 |
| Transportation | $280 |
| Healthcare | $400 |
| Utilities | $210 |
| Entertainment | $280 |
| Total | $2,770 |
Median home: $290,000. FIRE Number: $831,000 (Lean), $1,165,000 (Traditional). No state income tax.
Neighborhood Breakdown
| Neighborhood | 1BR Rent | Median Home | Walk Score | Transit Score | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo Heights / Olmos Park | $1,300-1,800 | $380-500K | 45 | 20 | Good schools, established, expensive for SA |
| King Wood / Mahncke Park | $1,100-1,500 | $280-400K | 55 | 25 | Walkable, historic bungalows, central |
| Southtown / Lone Star | $1,200-1,600 | $300-420K | 65 | 30 | Arts district, walkable, river access |
| Stone Oak / Far North | $1,300-1,700 | $350-450K | 20 | 10 | Best value, good schools, commute 25min |
Tax Reality
No state income tax (TX). No local income tax. Property tax ~2.1% effective (no income tax trade-off). Sales tax 8.25%.
Local FIRE Community
- Reddit: r/sanantonio
- Meetup: SATX FIRE quarterly meetups
Local Considerations
No income tax is a major advantage. Property tax high but homes are affordable (median ~$300K). Military (Lackland, Fort Sam) provides stability. Riverwalk and Theme Parks (Fiesta TX, SeaWorld, Six Flags) offer cheap entertainment.
Housing cost data from Zillow Rental Market Report (Q1 2026) and Redfin Data Center (redfin.com/data/). Walk and transit scores from Walkscore.com. Tax data from official state Department of Revenue publications for tax year 2026. Salary benchmarks from Levels.fyi and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES.