Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 53.8% | 48.3% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 7.0% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 3.1% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $62,917 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $32,983 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.8% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 17.1% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 28.7% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 34.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.2% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.2% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 24.5% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.0% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 68.5°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.5 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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