Chula Vista CA vs San Antonio TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 14.3% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 48.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $62,917 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $32,983 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 17.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 52.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 34.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 24.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 68.5°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 34.9 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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