Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
1,458,954
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 1,458,954 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 14.3% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $62,917 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $32,983 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 17.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 28.7% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 34.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 24.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 68.5°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 34.9 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA