Comparing San Antonio, Texas, and Honolulu, Hawaii, offers a stark contrast between mainland and island living. Each city offers its unique characteristics, from the cost of living, climate, and crime rates to individual tax structures and work opportunities. Whichever city you choose depends largely on your lifestyle preferences and needs. Let's discuss the distinctions between these two U.S destinations.
Distance between
San Antonio, TX and
Honolulu, HI : 3,706.8 miles
San Antonio's population is larger by 288%. Its population has grown by 307,207 people (26.8%) since 2000. The population of Honolulu has grown by 3,044 people (0.8%) during that time.
On the whole, Honolulu is safer than San Antonio. San Antonio has a higher crime rate than the national average, with property crime being particularly prevalent. Honolulu, while having its share of crime, generally reports lower rates. Both cities have initiated programs to improve safety and continue to evolve their strategies.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 3,771 registered sex offenders living in San Antonio and 680 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Antonio is 396 to 1; the ratio in Honolulu is 551 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in San Antonio than in Honolulu.
Cost of Living
Honolulu's cost of living is significantly higher than that of San Antonio. While San Antonio is one of the most cost-effective large cities in the U.S., honolulu stands as one of the most expensive, largely due to housing and groceries cost, rooted in the island's isolation.
Income Tax
Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, while Hawaii does. This can be a deciding factor for many when considering living or working in either city.
Property Tax
Both states have property taxes, but property tax rates are lower in Honolulu compared to San Antonio. This could balance out somewhat against the higher cost of real estate in Honolulu.
Sales Tax
The tax landscape differs considerably between the two cities. Texas has a higher sales tax, but Honolulu's General Excise Tax (GET) applies to many transactions, making everyday cost higher.
Income
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Estimated median household income
$54,923
$78,820
Estimated per capita income
$28,860
$43,518
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
158.6
If you make $50,000 in San Antonio, you will have to make $90,422 in Honolulu to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Antonio is a flat city with the beautiful San Antonio river meandering through, and the scenic Texas Hill Country nearby. Honolulu is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including mountains, beaches, and the vast Pacific Ocean.
In San Antonio, there are numerous educational opportunities with over 30 colleges and universities including the University of Texas at San Antonio. Honolulu is home to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a research university known for its programs in tropical agriculture, tropical medicine, and oceanography. Both cities provide ample educational opportunities to their residents.
Both cities boast robust economies. San Antonio has a strong military presence and a growing tech scene, while Honolulu's economy heavily revolves around tourism and the government sector.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in San Antonio include the Department of Defense, H-E-B, and USAA. In Honolulu, the government, the tourism industry, and the naval base are among the city's biggest employers.
In San Antonio (Bexar County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 47.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Honolulu (Honolulu County), 68.9% voted for Democrats and 29.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
2020
58.3%
62.7%
40.1%
35.8%
1.5%
1.5%
2016
54.2%
61.5%
40.8%
31.6%
5.0%
6.9%
2012
51.6%
68.9%
47.1%
29.8%
1.4%
1.3%
2008
52.3%
70.1%
46.7%
28.8%
1.0%
1.1%
2004
44.5%
51.1%
55.0%
48.3%
0.6%
0.6%
2000
44.9%
54.6%
52.3%
39.6%
2.7%
5.7%
1996
49.7%
56.3%
44.6%
33.6%
5.7%
10.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.8%
18.2%
8.6%
5.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
6.8%
1.5%
23.5%
9.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.0%
0.8%
0.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.1%
1.0%
0.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.6%
0.5%
1.6%
2.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.2%
2.2%
1.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.5%
1.3%
2.6%
Weather
Weather factors in significantly when comparing these two locations. San Antonio offers a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Its weather can vary dramatically, with temperatures reaching triple digits during summer and dipping to the 40s in winter. In contrast, Honolulu enjoys a tropical climate with pleasant weather year-round, offering consistently warm temperatures and ample sunshine.
Weather and climate
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Temperature - Average
68.7°F
73.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.9%
70.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
37%
27%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
79%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
32.2 in
66.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.2 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.5%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
62.4%
71%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
19%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
75%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
56%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
11.1 mph
Average climate in San Antonio, Texas
Average climate in Honolulu, Hawaii
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
San Antonio
Honolulu
2018
83
43
N/A
0.45
4.9
3.9
25.6
25.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
8.0
3.8
0.2
0.1
2017
85
46
N/A
0.50
5.1
4.4
26.9
24.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
8.4
3.4
1.7
0.4
2016
79
46
N/A
0.59
5.2
3.9
25.7
24.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.5
8.2
3.5
0.8
0.3
2015
76
53
N/A
0.54
4.7
3.5
25.4
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
9.2
4.8
0.7
0.4
2014
84
45
N/A
0.41
5.5
3.4
27.3
21.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.1
9.5
4.6
0.6
1.2
2013
79
53
N/A
0.41
4.1
3.0
28.2
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
9.0
5.8
0.7
1.1
2012
77
58
N/A
0.31
4.5
2.9
27.5
24.7
N/A
N/A
18.1
12.2
9.2
5.7
N/A
0.6
2011
85
57
N/A
0.39
4.6
2.9
29.2
28.4
N/A
N/A
18.9
12.7
9.9
7.0
N/A
0.6
2010
75
68
0.21
0.38
7.2
3.4
25.8
N/A
0.002
N/A
17.1
N/A
9.2
7.0
N/A
1.1
2009
74
58
0.23
0.42
8.3
4.3
25.7
N/A
0.003
N/A
19.5
N/A
9.8
6.2
0.4
0.7
2008
84
19
0.26
0.45
9.3
4.2
26.8
N/A
0.002
N/A
19.8
N/A
10.1
N/A
0.5
0.6
2007
83
23
0.49
0.52
9.3
4.7
26.3
N/A
0.001
N/A
23.4
N/A
10.3
N/A
N/A
0.5
2006
86
21
0.51
0.24
9.7
4.9
32.7
N/A
0.003
N/A
24.8
N/A
9.8
N/A
N/A
1.0
2005
86
19
0.53
0.42
10.7
5.0
30.8
N/A
0.001
N/A
22.3
N/A
10.1
N/A
N/A
0.7
2004
76
18
0.48
0.60
10.4
4.8
29.6
N/A
0.001
N/A
22.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.5
2003
77
21
0.57
0.62
10.3
4.7
28.5
N/A
0.002
N/A
26.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.5
2002
88
19
0.52
0.64
11.2
4.9
30.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.9
2001
78
21
0.57
0.62
11.9
4.5
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.6
2000
82
21
0.52
0.68
11.7
4.9
29.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.4
Natural disasters
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
91.5%
3.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
73.7%
1,260.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
16%
Transportation
San Antonio's public transit primarily consists of buses, while Honolulu offers TheBus, a widely used public transit system. Needless to say, owning a car may be more feasible in San Antonio than in Honolulu due to wider streets and lower gas prices.
Transport
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
987
343
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
29
7
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Bicycle
0.2%
1.2%
Bus
1.6%
11.3%
Carpooled
12.9%
18.1%
Car alone
81.9%
57.7%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.9%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.3%
Walked
1.6%
6.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Average
27 min
24 min
Real Estate
San Antonio real estate is noticeably more affordable than that in Honolulu. The median home cost in San Antonio is significantly less, which along with lower overall living costs, could help extend your lifestyle budget.
Neighborhoods
There's a neighborhood for every lifestyle in both cities. Whether you prefer the cultural charm of San Antonio's King William Historic District or Honolulu's serene Kailua neighborhood, both cities offer diverse living experiences.
Houses and residents
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Houses
603,670
158,659
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.6
Houses occupied
549,245 (91%)
140,328 (88.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
290,123 (52.8%)
65,860 (46.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
259,122 (47.2%)
74,468 (53.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,143
$1,820
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$189,213
$674,769
Estimated median house or condo value
$197,600
$903,138
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
2.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
4.4
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,481.2
1,851.3
Household income disparities
44.7%
44.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
5,815 (3.5%)
16,363 (40.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,350 (3.8%)
182 (0.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
160,674 (96.5%)
23,799 (59.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
129 (0.1%)
4,350 (10.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
7,761 (4.7%)
2,936 (7.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.1%
1.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
46,328
12,632
State government workers
29,486
19,181
Unpaid family workers
657
657
Industries and Occupations
San Antonio's leading industries include healthcare, biosciences, renewable energy, and IT. Honolulu, on the other hand, is heavily tourism-oriented, with hospitality, retail, and health care employing much of the local populace.
Both cities offer robust healthcare systems. San Antonio boasts top-tier healthcare facilities such as Methodist Hospital and University Hospital. Honolulu houses the Queen's Health Systems and Kaiser Permanente, ensuring local residents have access to quality healthcare.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Antonio's infrastructure supports extensive roadways, airports, and public transit systems including buses and bikes. Meanwhile, Honolulu relies heavily on maritime and air transport, with highways providing the primary means for ground travel within the city.
Infrastructure
Type
San Antonio
Honolulu
Hospitals
130
11
TV stations
30
13
Arenas or stadiums
2
4
Bank branches located here
333
111
Bank institutions located here
41
11
Main business address for public companies
23
9
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
7
12
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Antonio
Honolulu
1999
6,847
374
2000
2,930
310
2001
2,383
233
2002
2,313
350
2003
3,759
482
2004
5,180
776
2005
6,554
1,165
2006
6,983
1,176
2007
4,562
686
2008
1,781
469
2009
847
258
Culture and Food
Both cities have distinct cultural flavors. San Antonio boasts a vibrant Mexican influence reflected in its food and annual events, while Honolulu offers a unique blend of Asian, Hawaiian, and American culture. Food lovers will enjoy the diverse culinary scenes in both cities.
Sports Teams
San Antonio is home to the Spurs, a professional NBA team. Honolulu, while doesn't have any major professional sports team, offers a thriving collegiate sport scene through the University of Hawaii.
San Antonio, TX
Honolulu, HI
San Antonio, TX and 
Honolulu, HI : 3,706.8 miles
