Are you considering moving to San Antonio, Texas? The Alamo City is one of America's oldest cities, and in 2023, it was named the 10th Favorite U.S. City by Travel & Leisure magazine. Beyond its important place in American history due to its historic missions, San Antonio boasts a warm climate, booming labor market, and strong housing market. The city is also known to have a low cost of living (including no state income tax), a low unemployment rate, and plenty of world-class attractions.
If all that sounds like the perfect enticement to buy a new home in San Antonio, keep reading to learn more. We're breaking down all the benefits of moving to San Antonio and sharing the best places to live in the area.
How Many People Live in San Antonio?
According to World Population Review, the 2023 population of San Antonio, Texas is 1.47 million. This represents a 2.87% growth rate since 2020, with an average household income of $74,154. San Antonio is the 7th most populous American city and the 2nd most populous in the state. In the past decade, it's been one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
Is it a Good Idea to Move to San Antonio?
There are many reasons why people move to San Antonio. For a large, modern city, it has a relaxed environment, picturesque architecture and a temperate climate. The zero state income tax adds to the lower cost of living when compared to other U.S. cities.
San Antonio also has a strong housing market, ranked #9 in the U.S. for stability and growth this year.
The Benefits of Moving to San Antonio, Texas
There are many reasons to move to San Antonio, Texas, from affordability and job opportunities to choices in education, healthcare, and amenities. Here are the top five reasons.
1. Affordability
Many people move to San Antonio looking for a more affordable place to live. NerdWallet's cost of living calculator estimates that San Antonio's cost of living is 41% lower than in Los Angeles, with housing, transportation, food, entertainment and healthcare costs all lower. Compared to New York City, it's 63% lower. Within the state, the cost of living in San Antonio is 12% lower than in Dallas, 10% lower than in Austin, and 4% lower than in Fort Worth.
2. Job Opportunities
The San Antonio economy, with its currently booming labor market, is driven by four major industries—tourism and hospitality, education, healthcare, and the military. The city is working to expand its reach into scientific R&D and biotech, cybersecurity and information technology, advanced manufacturing, and new energy. In addition to its core industries, the city is building on creative and cultural initiatives, where it anticipates the most demand in the future. The city's major employers include Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (military), H-E-B (supermarkets, superstores, gourmet markets, local restaurants), and USAA (insurance, banking, financial services).
3. Entertainment and Attractions
San Antonio’s many attractions include its 15-mile long River Walk and its sports arenas, such as Frost Bank Center (home of the San Antonio Spurs NBA team), the AT&T Center, and Alamodome, which are also major concert venues, in addition to concert halls like The Espee and outdoor venues like Civic Park at HemisFair. Other attractions include amusement parks—like Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio—the San Antonio Philharmonic, the San Antonio Zoo, and historic missions like the Alamo.
4. Education
There are 17 school districts within the San Antonio area, covering different city regions. These include the Northeast Independent School District, Comal Independent School District, and Lackland Independent School District. Additionally, there are many schools and several colleges and universities in the area. These include the University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio College, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, and Trinity University, among others.
5. Healthcare
The South Texas Medical Center is comprised of hundreds of medical offices. Their main institutions, which employ thousands of professionals and treat millions of patients, include University Hospital, UT Health San Antonio, the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Methodist Healthcare Hospitals, St. Luke's Baptist Hospital, and Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital.
Best Places to Live in the San Antonio Metro Area
By now you may have realized that San Antonio, Texas has a lot to offer (it does!), but you're also probably wondering which neighborhood within the city is best to put down your roots. Here's a brief guide to the top five San Antonio neighborhoods so that you can determine the best fit for you and your household.
Southeast Side
The Southeast Side is within close proximity to downtown but also offers the amenities of a suburban lifestyle. The streets are peaceful yet close to busy shopping areas and attractions like the AT&T Center. The 600-acre Southside Lions Park is one of the largest in the area, and there's also Covington Park, the Salado Creek Greenway, and other outdoor recreation areas to explore. With quick access to major highways like the 410 loop, I-10, IH-35 and IH-37, the Southeast Side is also near S.H. Gates Elementary School, with other K-12 schools within walking distance. The major industries in the area are healthcare, retail, construction, and hospitality.
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New Braunfels
New Braunfels, about a 45-minute drive northeast of San Antonio, has a strong German heritage, and the popular Wurst Fest is a yearly celebration of this tradition. There's a large selection of outdoor attractions, from the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers to parks like Cypress Bend, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and the Natural Bridge Caverns. Several elementary, middle, and high schools serve this city—Clear Springs Elementary, Oak Run Middle School, and Canyon High School, to name a few—as well as diverse local businesses. There are also playgrounds, picnic areas, restaurants, and amphitheaters. Major industries in New Braunfels include aviation, healthcare, logistics/distribution, retail, and manufacturing.
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Seguin
One of the oldest cities in the state, the vibrant and diverse community of Seguin boasts a rich history and a convenient location approximately 34 miles east of San Antonio. Home to more than 30,000 people, the city offers plenty to enjoy. Cultural and recreational activities include ZDT's Amusement Park, Max Starcke Park and golf course, and Walnut Springs Park. Local schools include Seguin High School, Koennecke Elementary School, and Rodriguez Elementary School. The main industry is manufacturing, with big-name companies like Tyson Foods and Caterpillar.
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Cibolo
Located 37 minutes northeast of San Antonio via I-35 South, Cibolo is a suburb with a small-town feel and the amenities of a large city. Cibolo offers trails, green spaces, and numerous parks, including Al Rich Park, Schlather Park, and Niemietz Park, with Crescent Bend Nature Park in the neighboring town of Schertz. Top employers include Allstate (insurance), Aggreko (fuel, heating, and cooling), Sonic (fast-food restaurants), Liberty Energy (oil and energy). In addition, the area is served by the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District. The city of Cibolo is actively targeting development in three primary industries—healthcare, manufacturing, and retail & recreation.
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St. Hedwig
Approximately 20 minutes east of San Antonio, the rural town of St. Hedwig boasts proximity to entertainment and employment hubs in Converse, New Braunfels, and Seguin. Enjoy small-town living in the Texas Hill Country, with easy access to historical sites and local attractions like Green Acres Golf & Games. The main industry in St. Hedwig is agriculture, with most residents commuting to San Antonio for work—offering the perfect mix of modern city conveniences and quiet country life.
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San Antonio Has Many Living Options
As you can see, there are many options in the San Antonio area for all kinds of lifestyle preferences. Finding your new home may take a little research, but it's an exciting time when you can find the perfect place for you and your family. The community you choose is a personal decision that will depend on your needs and preferences, and we're here to help! At Century Communities, we offer a variety of new home communities with highly attractive amenities that provide the best quality of life in San Antonio.