Both San Antonio and Northwest Harris in Texas offer unique lifestyles with rich cultural experiences and opportunities. San Antonio is a major city with a diverse employment sector, vibrant cultural scene, and variable living costs. Northwest Harris, a Census Designated Place in Harris county, is largely residential with a strong educational system and accessibility to attractions in Houston. Comparatively, San Antonio offers a wider representation of industries, sports teams, and cultural facilities, while Northwest Harris offers a cost-efficient, suburb-style living.
San Antonio's crime rates are higher than the national average, with property crimes being more common than violent crimes. This does not mean it’s dangerous overall; it’s crucial to check crime statistics for specific neighborhoods. Northwest Harris boasts lower crime rates due to its suburban feel and lesser population density. The area is largely regarded as safe and family-friendly.
Cost of Living
San Antonio and Northwest Harris are reasonably affordable when compared to national averages. However, living in San Antonio tends to be more costly, relating to housing and entertainment, although utilities, transportation, and healthcare tend to be cheaper. Northwest Harris offers a slightly lower cost of living, closer to Houston services without the costs associated with living in a major city.
Income Tax
Texas does not collect state income tax, so both San Antonio and Northwest Harris benefit from this policy.
Property Tax
Both San Antonio and Northwest Harris have high property taxes by national standards. San Antonio's average property tax rate is around 1.93%, while in Northwest Harris, rates vary but tend to be slightly lower.
Sales Tax
In San Antonio, the total sales tax rate is 8.25%, combining the Texas state sales tax of 6.25% with the city's tax of 2%. Similarly, Northwest Harris has the same sales tax rate, due to Texas statewide tax regulations.
Income
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Estimated median household income
$54,923
$91,482
Estimated per capita income
$28,860
$43,231
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
102.4
If you make $50,000 in San Antonio, you will have to make $58,381 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Antonio is located in the Texas Hill Country with plains and rolling hills. It's abundant with green spaces like the San Antonio River, while Northwest Harris is relatively flat and suburban, with Bayous and plenty of green spaces due to its proximity to Houston.
Geographical information
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Land area
407.6 sq. miles
437.4 sq. miles
Population density
3,562.3 people per sq. mile
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
San Antonio, TX Northwest Harris, TX
Education
Both cities feature good education systems. San Antonio's larger population means more schools, both public and private, including well-rated North East Independent School District schools. Northwest Harris is served by highly-rated districts like Cy-Fair ISD and Klein ISD, offering quality education. Both areas have nearby colleges and universities for higher education.
San Antonio's economy is diverse, with sectors including healthcare, education, military, and tourism. Job growth is robust, and unemployment rates are around the national average. Northwest Harris is residential in character but being close to Houston; residents take advantage of job opportunities in the city.
Biggest Employers
In San Antonio, major employers include USAA, H-E-B, and the city's school districts. The military also provides a significant number of jobs as does the healthcare sector. In Northwest Harris, most residents work in nearby Houston with dominant employers being the energy, aerospace, and healthcare industries.
In San Antonio (Bexar County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 47.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
2020
58.3%
56.0%
40.1%
42.7%
1.5%
1.3%
2016
54.2%
54.0%
40.8%
41.6%
5.0%
4.4%
2012
51.6%
49.4%
47.1%
49.3%
1.4%
1.3%
2008
52.3%
50.5%
46.7%
48.9%
1.0%
0.6%
2004
44.5%
44.6%
55.0%
54.9%
0.6%
0.5%
2000
44.9%
43.0%
52.3%
54.4%
2.7%
2.6%
1996
49.7%
45.2%
44.6%
49.2%
5.7%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.8%
18.1%
8.6%
3.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
6.8%
14.2%
23.5%
26.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
2.9%
0.8%
1.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.7%
1.0%
1.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.6%
1.0%
1.6%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.3%
2.2%
1.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.3%
1.3%
1.7%
Weather
San Antonio and Northwest Harris share similar weather patterns, characteristic of a humid subtropical climate. Expect hot summers and mild winters. Hurricanes and tropical storms can affect Northwest Harris, being closer to the Gulf Coast. San Antonio is less susceptible to such weather disturbances, though it can experience severe thunderstorms.
Weather and climate
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Temperature - Average
68.7°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.9%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
37%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
32.2 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.2 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.5%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
62.4%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
43%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in San Antonio, Texas
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
2018
83
95
N/A
N/A
4.9
5.1
25.6
23.5
N/A
N/A
8.0
8.7
0.2
N/A
2017
85
94
N/A
N/A
5.1
4.7
26.9
25.2
N/A
N/A
8.4
8.5
1.7
0.5
2016
79
93
N/A
N/A
5.2
5.7
25.7
23.7
N/A
N/A
8.2
8.5
0.8
0.4
2015
76
100
N/A
N/A
4.7
6.1
25.4
23.1
N/A
N/A
9.2
9.3
0.7
0.1
2014
84
88
N/A
0.28
5.5
6.7
27.3
22.3
N/A
N/A
9.5
9.6
0.6
0.1
2013
79
104
N/A
0.29
4.1
6.6
28.2
23.7
N/A
N/A
9.0
10.3
0.7
0.1
2012
77
107
N/A
0.30
4.5
7.1
27.5
24.8
18.1
N/A
9.2
10.6
N/A
0.2
2011
85
115
N/A
0.32
4.6
6.8
29.2
27.0
18.9
N/A
9.9
11.3
N/A
0.6
2010
75
104
0.21
0.26
7.2
7.5
25.8
25.0
17.1
N/A
9.2
11.1
N/A
0.8
2009
74
114
0.23
0.27
8.3
6.8
25.7
25.1
19.5
N/A
9.8
11.0
0.4
0.9
2008
84
104
0.26
0.35
9.3
8.0
26.8
24.5
19.8
N/A
10.1
11.9
0.5
1.4
2007
83
123
0.49
0.37
9.3
9.1
26.3
23.2
23.4
N/A
10.3
13.0
N/A
1.7
2006
86
130
0.51
0.39
9.7
9.0
32.7
25.0
24.8
N/A
9.8
11.6
N/A
1.5
2005
86
132
0.53
0.42
10.7
9.7
30.8
25.3
22.3
N/A
10.1
13.3
N/A
2.6
2004
76
125
0.48
0.44
10.4
10.0
29.6
22.9
22.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
2003
77
144
0.57
0.62
10.3
10.8
28.5
23.5
26.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.4
2002
88
124
0.52
0.55
11.2
10.5
30.3
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2001
78
148
0.57
0.44
11.9
12.0
29.3
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
2000
82
133
0.52
0.50
11.7
10.8
29.6
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
91.5%
179.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
73.7%
67.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
32%
Transportation
San Antonio offers public transportation via VIA Metropolitan Transit providing bus service throughout the city. Quite a number of people rely on cars for commuting. Northwest Harris primarily relies on private transportation, with high car ownership. Houston's Metro also services parts of the area.
Transport
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
987
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
29
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Bicycle
0.2%
0.1%
Bus
1.6%
2.5%
Carpooled
12.9%
11.3%
Car alone
81.9%
81.5%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.6%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Average
27 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
San Antonio real estate encompasses a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses. Prices are continually rising but remain affordable compared to national averages. Northwest Harris features more suburban-style, single-family homes with reasonable prices making it an attractive residential place.
Neighborhoods
San Antonio boasts a variety of neighborhoods, from culturally rich Downtown and vibrant Alamo Heights to serene suburban Shavano Park. In contrast, Northwest Harris is primarily suburban and residential, offering safety and quiet for families with Houston's attractions within commuting distance.
Houses and residents
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
Houses
603,670
149,181
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.9
Houses occupied
549,245 (91%)
141,708 (95%)
Houses occupied by owners
290,123 (52.8%)
100,076 (70.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
259,122 (47.2%)
41,632 (29.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,143
$1,182
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$189,213
$300,799
Estimated median house or condo value
$197,600
$307,883
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
7.5
Renting percentage
43.5%
28.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,481.2
341.1
Household income disparities
44.7%
38.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
5,815 (3.5%)
15,158 (16.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,350 (3.8%)
105 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
160,674 (96.5%)
76,541 (83.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
129 (0.1%)
3,826 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
7,761 (4.7%)
4,244 (4.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.1%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
46,328
12,608
State government workers
29,486
7,312
Unpaid family workers
657
552
Industries and Occupations
San Antonio's leading industries include healthcare, tourism, and military/defense. The service, retail, and education sectors also play significant roles. Northwestern Harris, given its residential nature, doesn’t have a defined industrial sector, but significant occupations revolve around management, sales, and healthcare professions.
San Antonio offers excellent healthcare facilities, including the Methodist Hospital-San Antonio and the University Hospital-San Antonio. Northwest Harris community primarily relies on Houston's medical centers like the Texas Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Antonio, as a large city, features both contemporary and historic infrastructure. The city provides good public services and well-maintained highways, including the San Antonio International Airport. In contrast, Northwest Harris is primarily residential with essential amenities. Most inhabitants commute to Houston for services not locally provided.
Infrastructure
Type
San Antonio
Northwest Harris
TV stations
30
27
Culture and Food
San Antonio is rich in history and culture, noticeable in events like Fiesta San Antonio. The Riverwalk hosts a variety of restaurants showcasing Tex-Mex, BBQ, and more. Northwest Harris offers suburban culture, with local dining opportunities, and easy access to Houston's rich cultural experiences!
Sports Teams
San Antonio is home to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. They also have a minor league baseball team, the Missions. Northwest Harris residents support Houston's sports franchises, it being close, including the NBA's Rockets, MLB's Astros, and NFL's Texans.
San Antonio, TX
Northwest Harris, TX
San Antonio, TX and 
Northwest Harris, TX : 181.1 miles
