Performance
Score Breakdown
San Antonio
Laramie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laramie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to San Antonio.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Antonio's average rent is
57% higher than Laramie's.
| Metric | San Antonio | Laramie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,805 | $1,149 | +57% |
| Groceries | $400 | $377 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $352 | -49% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $138 | +81% |
| Monthly Total | $2,755 | $2,136 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Antonio offers 17% higher 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 San Antonio is estimated at
$85,000 vs $31,776 in Laramie.
| Metric | San Antonio | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $65,136 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $31,776 |
| Purchasing Power | 83,516 idx | 68,564 idx |
| Household Income | $66,176 | $55,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | San Antonio | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 46.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to San Antonio.
San Antonio scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Laramie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Antonio | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Antonio is the larger city
— approximately 48.4x the population of Laramie.
From a growth perspective, San Antonio is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Antonio | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,572,360 | 32,511 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.55% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 26.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 2.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Laramie
#21Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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