San Antonio TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 393,389 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 48.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 7.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 26.2% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $376,530 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 50.2% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Antonio +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 73.4°F | San Antonio + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 46.3 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 26.8 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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