Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
San Antonio
1,458,954
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 1,458,954 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 22.9% | 7.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
San Antonio
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $32,983 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 28.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
San Antonio
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
San Antonio
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.2% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 24.5% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in Houston. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CA