Nina Out and About contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.
23 Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio in 2024
Have you wondered about the pros and cons of living in San Antonio?
I’ve lived in over 12 countries in the last 10 years, so I know what to look for when moving.
San Antonio has mild winter weather, friendly people, and lots of things to do.
There are job opportunities and a low cost of living.
As a large suburban city, public transportation and crime rates could be better, but there’s a lot San Antonio has to offer.
Let’s dive into the main pros and cons of living in San Antonio and why it’s a great place to move.
🛫 Planning to move to San Antonio? Find epic deals on flights and accommodations by using this platform!
1. Pro: Lower Cost of Living
San Antonio is rated as one of the top 3 cities to live in the state of Texas
With the cost of a house averaging $325,000 USD, housing in San Antonio, Texas is 18% lower than the average for the United States.
Rent is an average of $1,000 USD per month.
I know many people who have moved to Texas to take advantage of a lower cost of living, especially compared to San Diego and New York City. It is one of the best things about living in San Antonio.
2. Con: Lower Minimum Wage
Money is actually both one of the pros and cons of San Antonio. One of the downsides to a lower cost of living is a lower minimum wage.
In San Antonio, the minimum wage is $7.25 USD. The living wage for a single adult with no children is over twice that amount at $15.43 USD.
The average salary in San Antonio, Texas is $67,000 USD a year (about $32.21 USD per hour). With an average salary, you would be able to afford your housing costs without living paycheck to paycheck.
👩💻 Looking for a job in San Antonio? Use this platform to find one that suits your skills!
3. Pro: Great Schools
If you are looking to continue your education, San Antonio has many public, private, and religious college choices.
Get your undergrad degree, or choose from a Master’s or Doctoral program from the University of Texas at San Antonio. They even have graduate certificates and online programs.
As for the general public education community, San Antonio Heights Independent School District is rated in the top 10 for Texas school districts.
The high school graduation rate in San Antonio was around 80% in 2019, compared to 74-75% in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston.
4. Con: Higher Crime Rates
Crime rate is one of the biggest reasons not to move to San Antonio. Only 25% of other cities in the US have more crime than San Antonio.
With 1.44 million people in San Antonio city, it’s one of the largest cities in the United States.
When you look at San Antonio’s pros and cons about the crime rate, remember to make fair comparisons.
The con is that there is a high crime rate. The pro is that the crime rate is comparable to nearby cities in Texas. Other US cities of the same size also have a similar crime rate.
5. Pro: Mild Winters
If you want a winter that isn’t cold with snow and ice, then San Antonio is a great choice. In the winter, the temperature can be as low as 3.9°C (39°F), with an average low of 13.9°C (57 F).
The summer weather goes up towards 35°C (95°F) with an average high of 26.7°C (80°F). The hot and humid summers are a trade-off for mild winters.
If you’re looking for seasons, living in San Antonio Texas may not be for you.
6. Con: Thunderstorms with Blackouts
Living in San Antonio has pros and cons can depend on your perspective. There is a good amount of rain and some thunderstorms that roll through town.
These thunderstorms cause occasional power outages. If you love the rain, this won’t be an issue for you at all.
Make sure you’re happy with the trade-off of warmer winters for thunderstorms in spring and throughout the year.
7. Pro: Texas Hill Country Wildflowers
Before you decide to start living in San Antonio Texas, the pros and cons of nature need to be looked at.
A pro is that San Antonio is in the “Hill Country” of Texas. If you enjoy nature, there are plenty of options for you.
You can see beautiful wildflowers, including the bluebonnet, on hiking trails in San Antonio.
If you love wine, Wildseed Farm is a must. This wildflower farm has wine tours and beautiful gardens to walk through.
🥾 Looking for friends to go hiking? Join MeetUp today!
8. Con: Allergies
Nature is great unless you have terrible allergies. San Antonio, Texas is notorious for its cedar fever.
Cedar fever is at its worst from mid-December through mid-February when the Ash Juniper Tree releases its pollen.
If you know you have medical-emergency allergic reactions to cedar, then this is a definite con of living in San Antonio.
9. Pro: Cultural Diversity
There are many festivities to participate in, such as the largest MLK marches in the United States.
Fiesta San Antonio is a fun celebration in April where you throw flowers at each other in the Battle of Flowers. This celebrates the Alamo and the heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto.
Around 64% of the population in San Antonio Texas is Hispanic. The white population makes up 24%, and non-Hispanic Black or African American makes up an additional 6.3%.
10. Con: Racial Gaps
Even with cultural diversity, one of the worst things about living in San Antonio is the racial gaps in many southern neighborhoods.
The good news is that an equity plan is working on closing this equity gap. Things like air quality, food availability, cost of living, and average income are important to compare.
Do your research to make sure you are comfortable with the neighborhood you choose.
11. Pro: Good Quality of Life
San Antonio’s nightlife and diversity are given an “A” while most other categories such as cost of living, schools, weather, commuting, and jobs rated a “B.”
People who live in San Antonio rave about the tacos, festivals, and music scene.
If you’re looking for a big city with a more laid-back, friendly neighborhood feel then San Antonio is definitely for you.
12. Con: Higher than Average Poverty Level
Even with the lower cost of living and decent average salary, there are still areas in San Antonio with higher poverty.
The poverty level is 18.6% in San Antonio compared to a 14.1% average in the US.
Look for moving to neighborhoods in the north or northwest area. They have a lower poverty level with higher income, better health, and more highly rated schools.
13. Pro: Plenty of Suburb Neighborhoods
You will have a lot of options if you move to San Antonio.
The highest-rated San Antonio neighborhoods are Terrel Hills, Northeast Inner Loop, Oakland Estates, Monte Vista, and Fort Sam Houston.
Both Oakland Estates and Fort Sam Houston have more moderate political views in a mostly conservative state.
If you’re looking for a more liberal neighborhood, Monte Vista would be a good choice. Along with plenty of shopping and restaurants, there are parks and many residents with office jobs.
14. Con: Traffic & Poor Public Transportation
The main public transportation method in San Antonio is by bus.
San Antonio has expanded its VIA bus lines to connect downtown with popular destinations in the city, but your best bet is to still commute by car.
Traffic is a major complaint of San Antonio residents, although the average commute time is 24 minutes.
If you’re from a major metropolitan city, like New York, with a very extensive public transit system, then having to drive up to 35 minutes to get somewhere will be a bit of a difference.
🚗 You’ll be best off with a car in San Antonio. Find the cheapest car rentals here!
15. Pro: Great Attractions in San Antonio
If you like theme parks, San Antonio is for you. With Six Flags Fiesta Texas and tons of water parks, you’ll never be bored. Try out Splashtown, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, or the first Ultra-Accessible theme park, Morgan’s Wonderland.
You can also beat the summer heat by tubing on either the Guadalupe, Comal, or San Marcos rivers.
Girls’ night out is made super easy in San Antonio with lots of wineries, shopping, and restaurants.
16. Con: Tourist Destination
A con of living in San Antonio is how many tourists there are. It is currently the 6th most popular city to visit.
The theme parks and many places you enjoy as a local will get more crowded around school holidays. Definitely plan your visits to Six Flags, San Antonio Riverwalk, the Alamo, and San Antonio Botanical Gardens around tourist season.
Living in a tourist city isn’t for everyone, but it does also bring in more money and jobs into a community.
17. Pro: Many Day Trip Destinations
Some popular day trip options from San Antonio include visiting nearby cities such as Austin and Houston.
If you really want a beach day, the Gulf of Mexico is about 2 hours away, including the popular beach city, Corpus Christi.
Looking for more adventure? The Natural Bridge Caverns are about a 40-minute drive from San Antonio. The surrounding hill country has so many springs, caverns, and hiking trails to explore.
📷 Find the best deals on local tours and day trips from San Antonio with this search engine!
18. Con: Many International Flights Require a Connection
The San Antonio International Airport is one of the pros and cons of living in San Antonio.
Pro: It’s one of the largest airports in the southern part of Texas.
Con: The airport only offers non-stop flights to various places in the United States and Mexico.
If you are looking for an international flight to another country, be prepared for connecting flights.
19. Pro: Military City
There are many active and retired military personnel in San Antonio.
With Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, Lackland Air Force Base, and Camp Bullis, San Antonio is home to the largest Departments of Defense in the United States.
Whether you are affiliated with the US military or not, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) helps the city’s economy. In 2021, JBSA contributed over $39 billion USD to the economy in Texas.
20. Con: San Antonio has Venomous Snakes
If you’re not a fan of snakes, rattlesnakes are definitely not a pro on your “moving to San Antonio pros and cons” list.
Springtime is known as snake season in San Antonio as the weather starts to get warmer.
The good news? Most of the time if you leave a snake alone, it will leave you alone.
Keep your yard clean and clear of debris and pay attention to your surroundings on warmer days.
21. Pro: Good Job Opportunities
Why move to San Antonio? The job opportunities are really good. The city was just rated 9th for growth in careers.
So what jobs are most common in San Antonio, Texas?
- Office and administrative support
- Transportation & material moving
- Business
- Education
- Management
- Healthcare
- Sales
- Foodservice
There’s a little bit of everything, but the majority of jobs are office positions.
👩💻 Looking for a job in San Antonio? Use this platform to land your dream job.
22. Con: Quickly Growing City
San Antonio was identified as the fastest-growing city in 2020-2021.
Quick growth can lead to a negative impact on a city. When there’s a huge influx of residents, it can be hard for a city to keep up with the resources needed.
There are no big issues from this huge growth yet, but it is something to keep in mind if you are looking for a long-term home.
23. Pro: San Antonio’s History
When moving to San Antonio, pros and cons do not always come out even. San Antonio’s rich history has so many pros with its beautiful historic buildings and landmarks.
The Recreation and Heritage Tourism organization works hard to preserve many historic sites and buildings for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
The Alamo is located right in the heart of San Antonio mixed with the surrounding city. It’s beautiful to see preserved historic sites alongside modern buildings, and this area is no exception.
Enjoy walking around the Alamo, then grab yourself a taco. Soak in the scenery or just people-watch at the nearby Riverwalk.
Wrap Up: Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio
Do you think the pros outweigh the reasons not to live in San Antonio?
Before making your final decision, compare the pros and cons of living in San Antonio.
Crime rates are higher but comparable to other cities its size. Like many places, some areas are better than others.
You get a lower-than-average cost of living, a good job outlook, and mild winter.
It’s really a big city but with a friendly neighborhood feel to it. San Antonio is perfect if you’re looking for a good job with plenty of options for fun on your days off.
🛫 Ready to move to San Antonio? Find epic deals on flights and accommodations on this platform!
Living in the USA Guides
- Pros and Cons of Living in North Carolina
- Pros and Cons of Living in South Carolina
- Pros and Cons of Living in California
- Pros and Cons of Living in Washington State
- Pros and Cons of Living in Montana
- Pros and Cons of Living in Chicago
- Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas
- Pros and Cons of Living in New Orleans
- Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles
- Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas
- Pros and Cons of Living in Iowa
- Pros and Cons of Living in Vermont
- Pros and Cons of Living in Seattle
- Pros and Cons of Living in Maine
- Pros and Cons of Living in Phoenix, Arizona
- Pros and Cons of Living in the USA
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado
- Pros and Cons of Living in Texas
- Pros and Cons of Living in Alaska
- Best Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon
- Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado Springs
- Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville
- Pros and Cons of Living in Florida
- Living in Toronto vs. Chicago: Which is the Better City?
- Living in Puerto Rico Pros and Cons: Should You Move to PR?
- Pros and Cons of Living in Georgia, USA: Is Georgia a Good Place to Live?
- Pros and Cons of Living in Hawaii
- Pros And Cons Of Living In New York City
- Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
