Cost of Living in
San Angelo, TX

The Real Price Tag: San Angelo's True Cost of Living (2026)

Forget the sanitized "Cost of Living Index" figures that marketing teams love to throw around. San Angelo, TX, clocks in at 97.2, which looks like a bargain on paper—until you actually have to write the checks. The raw math suggests a single earner needs roughly $28,626 to survive, but that number is a statistical mirage. It represents the poverty line, not a life you’d actually want to live. To reach a state of genuine "comfort"—meaning you aren't one blown transmission away from financial ruin—you need to look at the bleed costs that the averages smooth over. This report ignores the fluff and focuses on the friction: the taxes, the insurance mandates, and the specific local market quirks that nickel and dime you to death.

The "comfort" level in San Angelo is deceptive. It’s a mid-sized city with a heavy military presence (Goodfellow AFB) and a regional healthcare hub, which creates a bifurcated economy. You have a stable of government and medical salaries propping up the service sector, while the agricultural and oil service workers ride the boom-and-bust cycles. This volatility impacts everything from rent availability to the price of a loaf of bread. If you are moving here expecting a sleepy, cheap rural town, the sticker shock on specific commodities will hit you hard. The cost of living might be lower than the national average of 100, but the quality of what you get for that price is where the real analysis begins.

The Big Items: Housing, Taxes, and The Fuel Factor

Housing: The Rental Trap vs. The Buying Gamble

Housing is the primary battleground for your budget, and San Angelo is currently in a state of aggressive flux. The median home price data is effectively "None" in many datasets right now because inventory is so low that the median is statistically unreliable, but street-level reality puts decent 3-bedroom homes in the $220,000 - $260,000 range. However, the real story is the rental market. A 1-bedroom is averaging $927, while a 2-bedroom commands $1149. These aren't 2019 prices; they are the result of a massive influx of oil field support staff and transient military contractors driving up demand.

Buying is a calculated risk. With home prices creeping up, the mortgage payment looks competitive against rent, but you are walking into a property tax minefield. The "American Dream" of ownership here comes with a heavy property tax burden (detailed below) that effectively acts as a second mortgage. Conversely, renting offers flexibility but zero equity, and landlords are passing their own tax hikes onto tenants. If you have a down payment, buying is the hedge against inflation; if you are liquidity-constrained, renting is a trap that costs you $13,788 a year before you even turn on the lights.

Taxes: The Invisible Hand in Your Pocket

Texas loves to brag about having no state income tax, which is a great talking point until you see the property tax bill. There is no "free lunch." The trade-off is a brutal property tax rate that averages roughly 1.8% - 2.0% of assessed value. For that hypothetical $250,000 home, you are looking at an annual tax bill of $4,500 - $5,000. That is $416 a month that doesn't go toward your mortgage principal—it just evaporates. This is the "bleed" cost that destroys a homeowner's cash flow.

Furthermore, while state income tax is zero, you still pay federal taxes, and the local sales tax sits at 8.25%. That means every non-food purchase—clothing, electronics, furniture—takes an immediate 8.25% hit. If you earn $60,000, you aren't saving the $3,750 you’d pay in state income tax in California; you are spending it on property and sales taxes. You have to run the math on your specific household income to see if the lack of W-2 withholding actually benefits you or if you just pay it later at the county appraisal district.

Groceries & Gas: Local Variance and the Supply Chain Tax

Groceries in San Angelo are surprisingly resilient, hovering close to the national baseline. You can expect a single person to spend roughly $350 - $450 a month on food if they shop at the standard chains (H-E-B is the dominant player here and keeps prices competitive). However, specialty items or organic produce see a significant markup due to shipping costs inland. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s not a steal either.

Gas is where the geography works against you. San Angelo is isolated. It is 200 miles from Dallas, 200 miles from Austin, and 200 miles from Fort Worth. Everything—literally everything—gets trucked in. Consequently, gas prices are consistently $0.15 - $0.25 higher per gallon than the Texas state average. With the average commute being long (due to sprawl and cheap land out past the loop), a $3.50/gallon price tag adds up fast. If you drive a truck (and you will see plenty), budget $250+ monthly for fuel alone.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs: The Nickel and Dime Assault

You won't see these costs in the "Averages," but they will wreck your budget if you aren't ready.

• HOA Fees: If you buy a newer home in the "Southside" or "Bentwood" areas, HOA fees are non-negotiable. They range from $50 a month for basic lawn maintenance to $150 for gated communities. That’s $600 - $1,800 a year for the privilege of someone telling you your mailbox is the wrong shade of beige.
• Insurance Variance: While standard auto insurance is manageable, you are in Tornado Alley. Homeowners insurance is skyrocketing, with deductibles often set at 1% - 2% of the dwelling value (that's $2,500 on a $250k house). If you live near the Concho River (which you will), you will be forced into flood insurance, adding another $800 - $1,200 annually to the bleed.
• Utility "Pass-Throughs": Your electric bill (approx 14.94¢/kWh) is just the rate. You also pay "pass-through" charges for transmission and distribution. In the summer, when the AC is running 24/7, a 1,500 sq ft home can easily see bills north of $250, and that’s without the "Energy Efficiency Adjustment" fees that utility companies love to sneak in.
• Parking & Infrastructure: Downtown parking is a mix of free and metered, but if you work in the medical district or near the base, paid parking lots are common, costing $40 - $60 a month. There are no toll roads in the immediate vicinity, but the drive to major hubs (I-20) involves tolls if you want to save time, adding incidental costs of $15 - $30 per trip.

Lifestyle Inflation: The Cost of Sanity

Let's be honest: you can't just sit at home and stare at the wall. The cost of "entertainment" in San Angelo is moderate, but the gap between cheap and good is wide.

• A Night Out: A domestic draft beer at a local dive is $4.50. A decent burger and a drink at a sit-down place like The Varsity or a chain like Chili's will run you $25 - $35 per person before tip. For a couple, dinner and a movie is easily a $100 outing.
• Coffee: A drip coffee at a local shop (e.g., The Coffee Shop at the McConache) is $3.50 - $4.00. If you are a Starbucks addict, you are paying standard national pricing, but the habit adds up to $80 - $100 a month if you go daily.
• Gym Memberships: Planet Fitness is the budget option at $10 base, but if you want a real gym with amenities (LifeTime Fitness doesn't exist here; you're looking at local spots like San Angelo Athletic Club), expect to pay $50 - $75 a month.
• Childcare: This is the budget killer. If you have a preschooler, full-time daycare averages $850 - $1,100 per month. This single cost effectively wipes out the "savings" of living in a low-tax state if you have more than one child.

Salary Scenarios: The Hard Math

The following table breaks down the raw financial requirements for three distinct lifestyles. These numbers represent the net income required to sustain these lifestyles without accumulating debt.

Scenario Analysis

Frugal ($38k Single / $65k Family):
This is survival mode. You are renting a small apartment or a fixer-upper in an older neighborhood. You cook 95% of your meals at home. You drive used cars with high mileage and carry liability-only insurance. The family scenario relies heavily on public schools and zero extracurriculars. There is no room for error here; a $1,000 emergency destroys the budget. You are likely utilizing SNAP or WIC benefits if you are on the lower end of the family bracket. You are "making it," but you aren't thriving.

Moderate ($55k Single / $85k Family):
This is the actual middle class of San Angelo. You can afford a 2-bedroom rental or a mortgage on a $220k home. You have one reliable car and one older "beater." You can go out to eat once a week, but you are watching the check. The family has one kid in a sport or activity, costing roughly $100/month. You are saving for retirement, but likely only 5% - 7%. You feel the pinch of inflation but aren't skipping meals. This is the "bang for your buck" tier where San Angelo shines—you live decently on a modest income.

Comfortable ($75k Single / $110k+ Family):
This is where you stop worrying about the price of gas. You likely own a newer home in the $280k - $350k range. You drive newer vehicles with full coverage and low deductibles. You have a gym membership, eat out without checking the menu prices first, and have a fully funded emergency fund. The family can afford daycare and extracurriculars. To hit this level as a single earner, you likely work in the oil sector, specialized healthcare, or management. This is the financial breathing room required to actually enjoy what the area has to offer.