San Antonio TX vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 293,109 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 6.6% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 45.7% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 7.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 5.1% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $55,279 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 19.8% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 45.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 36.8% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.9% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.8% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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