Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
1,458,954
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 1,458,954 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 14.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 39.9% | 7.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $32,983 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 28.7% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $251,035 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2339 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 68.5°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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