Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
San Antonio
1,458,954
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 1,458,954 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 48.3% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 7.0% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $62,917 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $32,983 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.1% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 28.7% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 52.4% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 34.9% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 24.5% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Antonio +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 68.5°F | San Antonio + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 34.9 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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