San Antonio TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Washington
13.3%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Washington
39.1%
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 672,079 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.9 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 13.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 39.1% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 7.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 11.6% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $580,173 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 41.1% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 24.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 32.8 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Antonio, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TXChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TXHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX