San Antonio TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 457,066 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.4 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 9.1% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 7.0% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 8.9% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $427,121 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 36.5% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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