Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
San Antonio
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to San Antonio.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
22% lower than San Antonio's.
| Metric | Dallas | San Antonio | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,412 | $1,805 | -22% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $281 | $180 | +56% |
| Transport | $126 | $120 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $250 | -46% |
| Monthly Total | $2,404 | $2,755 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Antonio offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Antonio delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dallas is estimated at
$96,970 vs $85,000 in San Antonio.
| Metric | Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,900 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $96,970 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,297 idx | 83,516 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $66,176 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
San Antonio scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 72.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 37.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Antonio is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Dallas.
From a growth perspective, San Antonio is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 1,572,360 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | 1.55% |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
San Antonio
Advantages
San Antonio's cost of living is approximately 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable major U.S. city.
The city has demonstrated strong job growth, projected to lead Texas in 2025 and ranking as the third-fastest-growing major job market in 2024.
San Antonio's population continues to grow, with an estimated 1.55% annual increase, driven by both domestic and international migration.
Public transportation, particularly VIA Metropolitan Transit, received the highest customer satisfaction rating in the U.S. for transit agencies in 2024.
Overall crime in San Antonio fell by more than 13% in 2025, with significant drops in both violent and property crimes.
Drawbacks
The median household income in San Antonio, at $66,176 in 2024, remains below the national average.
Healthcare costs in San Antonio are slightly higher than the national average.
Despite a highly-rated public transit system, San Antonio is largely car-dependent with a low overall walkability score for much of the city.
The San Antonio housing market experienced a slight decline in median home prices by 2.6% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Traffic congestion is a concern, with San Antonio ranking as the 25th most congested city in the U.S. in 2025.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
San Antonio
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,805
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
72.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.55%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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