San Antonio, Texas
Remember the Alamo and embrace the River Walk
U.S. News (2025)
#37 Best Places to Live
Forbes (2024)
#16 Best Affordable Cities
WhereAtHome Score
74.7
Cout of 100
Overview
San Antonio offers Texas charm at a more affordable price point than Austin or Dallas. The iconic River Walk, historic missions (including the Alamo), and strong military presence define the city. Healthcare and tourism drive the economy, while lower costs attract families and retirees.
Key Highlights
- Historic River Walk and Alamo
- Major military hub (Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB)
- Very affordable for a major Texas city
- Strong healthcare sector (USAA headquarters)
- Growing tech and cybersecurity industries
- No state income tax
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Bexar County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
95°F
Winter Low
40°F
Annual Rainfall
32"
Sunny Days
220
Amenities & Infrastructure
240+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
12 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
5 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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