The minimum wage in San Antonio is $7.25/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $18.40/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in San Antonio.
The minimum wage in San Antonio is the federal rate of $7.25/hour. Under Texas law cities cannot set a higher minimum wage, so the federal minimum of $7.25/hour applies in San Antonio for most private employers. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in San Antonio. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,150/month and a cost-of-living index of 92 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (San Antonio, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $18.40 | $38,272 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $38.40 | $79,872 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Bexar County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in San Antonio.
San Antonio is one of the most affordable major cities in Texas, with an economy led by a large military presence at Joint Base San Antonio, a major tourism draw in the Alamo and River Walk, plus healthcare, biosciences, and manufacturing.
| Local Metric | San Antonio (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 1.5 million |
| County / jurisdiction | Bexar County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 92 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.40/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.40/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,450/month |
| Median home price | $290,000 |
| Median household income | $59,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in San Antonio is the federal rate of $7.25/hour. Under Texas law cities cannot set a higher minimum wage, so the federal minimum of $7.25/hour applies in San Antonio for most private employers. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $15,080 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Bexar County needs about $18.40/hour (roughly $38,272/year) to cover basic costs. That is $11.15/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $38.40/hour.
At $7.25/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $15,080 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $11,310/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in San Antonio is about $1,150/month, or $13,800/year.
Under Texas law cities cannot set a higher minimum wage, so the federal minimum of $7.25/hour applies in San Antonio for most private employers.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Texas does not set a higher state minimum, and it prevents cities from raising it, so $7.25/hour is the floor in San Antonio.