Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
San Antonio
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to Houston.
| Metric | Houston | San Antonio | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,805 | -0% |
| Groceries | $682 | $400 | +71% |
| Utilities | $253 | $180 | +41% |
| Transport | $348 | $120 | +190% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $250 | -44% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $2,755 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Antonio offers 1% 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 Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $85,000 in San Antonio.
| Metric | Houston | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 83,516 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $66,176 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Antonio scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 72.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 37.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of San Antonio.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 1,572,360 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 1.55% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Houston
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
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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