Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 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 | 26.7% | 14.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 48.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 7.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $62,917 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $32,983 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 17.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 28.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 52.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
San Antonio
13.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 24.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Antonio +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 68.5°F | San Antonio + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA