San Antonio TX vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 741,440 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.5 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 48.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 7.0% | 6.6% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 8.2% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $871,599 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 44.3% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 37.5 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 28.8 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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