Packing your bags to travel to either San Antonio, Texas, or San Francisco, California, you are bound to experience quite different landscapes, cultures, and lifestyles. Both hold their own unique charm and character, but offer markedly distinct climates, cost of living, work prospects, and cultural experience. We will delve into the specific features such as crime/safety, education, taxes, healthcare, to give you a comprehensive comparison of these two beloved American cities.
Distance between
San Antonio, TX and
San Francisco, CA : 1,486.1 miles
San Antonio's population is larger by 78%. Its population has grown by 307,207 people (26.8%) since 2000. The population of San Francisco has grown by 38,468 people (5.0%) during that time.
With respect to crime and safety, San Antonio has a higher crime rate compared to the national average, particularly in property crime. Though efforts are being made to decrease the rate, it is advisable to research neighborhoods before choosing a place to live or visit. San Francisco, on the other hand, also surpasses the national average for crime, with higher rates of property crime, like theft, particularly in areas frequented by tourists.
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 829 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Antonio is 396 to 1; the ratio in San Francisco is 1,051 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is much larger in San Antonio than that in San Francisco.
Cost of Living
When we consider the cost of living, San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, with housing being the biggest factor driving the cost of living. San Antonio, in contrast, offers a much more affordable quality of life with living expenses notably below the national average.
Property Tax
San Antonio and Texas in general, impose higher property tax rates than California and San Francisco. Hence, homeowners in San Antonio pay a more substantial portion of their income towards property tax than homeowners in San Francisco.
Sales Tax
Texas does not have a state income tax, making San Antonio an attractive location for those looking to save money. San Francisco, on the other hand, imposes a state income tax with rates that can reach over 13% for high earners.
Income
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Estimated median household income
$54,923
$121,826
Estimated per capita income
$28,860
$80,383
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
141.1
If you make $50,000 in San Antonio, you will have to make $80,445 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Antonio is located in South-Central Texas, relatively flat with several rivers and creeks. San Francisco is known for its steep hills and is surrounded on three sides by water, featuring beautiful beaches and bay views.
The education sector in both cities is robust. San Antonio is home to more than 30 higher education institutions, including the University of Texas at San Antonio. San Francisco hosts world-renowned universities like the University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco State University, though the cost of education is significantly higher than in San Antonio.
San Francisco boasts a strong economy with a focus on sectors like technology, finance, and tourism. Alternatively, San Antonio's economy is anchored by sectors like healthcare, tourism, and military defense. Unemployment rates are substantially lower in San Francisco, but the cost of living can offset higher wages.
Biggest Employers
In San Antonio, some of the largest employers are H-E-B Grocery, USAA, and the Northside Independent School District. San Francisco's largest employers are companies like Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo.
There were 6,567 building permits issued in San Antonio in 2012 (4973 more than in 2011) compared to 33 building permits issued in San Francisco in 2012 (2 more than in 2011).
In San Antonio (Bexar County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 47.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In San Francisco (San Francisco County), 83.5% voted for Democrats and 13.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
2020
58.3%
85.3%
40.1%
12.7%
1.5%
2.0%
2016
54.2%
84.6%
40.8%
9.2%
5.0%
6.2%
2012
51.6%
83.5%
47.1%
13.0%
1.4%
3.4%
2008
52.3%
84.4%
46.7%
13.7%
1.0%
2.0%
2004
44.5%
83.0%
55.0%
15.2%
0.6%
1.8%
2000
44.9%
75.7%
52.3%
16.1%
2.7%
8.1%
1996
49.7%
72.2%
44.6%
15.7%
5.7%
12.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.8%
15.0%
8.6%
9.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
6.8%
0.7%
23.5%
8.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.8%
0.8%
1.2%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.2%
1.0%
1.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.6%
0.8%
1.6%
3.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.2%
2.2%
1.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.2%
0.6%
0.3%
2.5%
Weather
San Antonio boasts a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, ideal for those who prefer consistent sunny weather. San Francisco, contrastingly, experiences a Mediterranean-like climate, characterized by cool, wet winters and dry summers. The city is famous for its foggy weather, particularly in the summer months, offering a cooler, more variable climate.
Weather and climate
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Temperature - Average
68.7°F
58.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.9%
84.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
37%
29%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
91%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50%
62%
Precipitation - Yearly average
32.2 in
22.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.2 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.5%
26.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
62.4%
73%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
77%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
55%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
11.4 mph
Average climate in San Antonio, Texas
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Francisco
2018
83
104
N/A
0.35
4.9
11.3
25.6
23.4
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
11.9
0.2
0.4
2017
85
96
N/A
0.40
5.1
11.4
26.9
22.5
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
9.9
1.7
0.6
2016
79
68
N/A
0.39
5.2
10.6
25.7
22.4
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
7.9
0.8
0.8
2015
76
85
N/A
0.41
4.7
12.1
25.4
22.5
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
7.9
0.7
0.8
2014
84
85
N/A
0.38
5.5
12.1
27.3
21.8
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.5
7.7
0.6
0.6
2013
79
88
N/A
0.40
4.1
13.9
28.2
20.4
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.0
10.2
0.7
0.5
2012
77
75
N/A
0.40
4.5
12.8
27.5
22.7
0.003
N/A
18.1
N/A
9.2
8.2
N/A
1.1
2011
85
86
N/A
0.24
4.6
14.1
29.2
21.3
0.003
N/A
18.9
N/A
9.9
9.5
N/A
1.7
2010
75
84
0.21
0.21
7.2
13.4
25.8
22.0
0.004
N/A
17.1
N/A
9.2
10.6
N/A
1.0
2009
74
95
0.23
0.30
8.3
15.1
25.7
20.4
0.005
N/A
19.5
N/A
9.8
12.8
0.4
1.1
2008
84
94
0.26
0.43
9.3
15.6
26.8
21.7
0.007
N/A
19.8
N/A
10.1
11.7
0.5
0.9
2007
83
84
0.49
0.45
9.3
15.6
26.3
20.5
0.007
N/A
23.4
N/A
10.3
8.9
N/A
1.2
2006
86
86
0.51
0.52
9.7
16.1
32.7
21.5
N/A
N/A
24.8
N/A
9.8
8.7
N/A
1.6
2005
86
89
0.53
0.39
10.7
14.8
30.8
20.5
N/A
N/A
22.3
N/A
10.1
8.8
N/A
1.3
2004
76
93
0.48
0.44
10.4
16.1
29.6
20.9
0.004
N/A
22.4
N/A
N/A
11.2
N/A
2.5
2003
77
65
0.57
0.64
10.3
18.4
28.5
19.7
N/A
N/A
26.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
2002
88
62
0.52
0.69
11.2
18.6
30.3
19.6
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2001
78
64
0.57
0.72
11.9
19.2
29.3
19.0
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2000
82
60
0.52
0.71
11.7
20.3
29.6
17.1
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
91.5%
7.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
73.7%
7,468.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
6%
Transportation
San Francisco ranks high in terms of public transportation and walkability, with extensive networks of buses, trains, and trams. San Antonio's public transportation is reliable but is more car-driven due to the city’s vastness. Commuting times in both cities are comparable but traffic in San Francisco can be more congested due to dense populations.
Transport
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Amtrak stations
1
4
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
987
453
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
29
9
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Bicycle
0.2%
2.7%
Bus
1.6%
11.4%
Carpooled
12.9%
9.1%
Car alone
81.9%
53.9%
Ferryboat
0%
0.4%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.9%
Railroad
0%
0.7%
Streetcar
0%
7.9%
Subway
0%
1.6%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.4%
Walked
1.6%
8.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Average
27 min
38 min
Other means
23.4 min
28.3 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
39.7 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
84.6%
85.5%
In 2 person carpool
10.4%
10.1%
In 3 person carpool
3.3%
3.2%
In 4 person carpool
1%
0.9%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.6%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in San Francisco is notoriously costly. It's not uncommon to find small apartments renting for several thousand dollars a month. San Antonio's real estate is more affordable, with significantly lower home prices and rent rates.
Neighborhoods
San Antonio's neighborhoods vary from historic areas like King William to vibrant areas like Southtown. San Francisco also offers a diverse array of neighborhoods, from cultural hubs like Mission District to posh areas like Pacific Heights.
Houses and residents
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Houses
603,670
412,269
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.3
Median year apartment built
1987
1953
Median year house/condo built
1981
1942
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.3 years
16.3 years
Houses occupied
549,245 (91%)
350,796 (85.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
290,123 (52.8%)
140,809 (40.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
259,122 (47.2%)
209,987 (59.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,143
$3,809
Median monthly housing costs
$1,101
$2,337
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$189,213
$1,670,841
Estimated median house or condo value
$197,600
Over $1,000,000
Median numbers of rooms
5.1
3.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
3.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
5.6
Median house price - detached houses
$238,319
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$407,491
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$120,363
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$163,867
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - mobile homes
$105,850
$517,939
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$188,542
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - All housing units
$234,615
Over $1,000,000
Median house age
37
76
Renting percentage
43.5%
64.2%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,481.2
8,829.1
House value disparities
33.6%
18.7%
Household income disparities
44.7%
41.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$87,382
$210,544
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$60,785
$99,969
Housing units without a mortgage
5,815 (3.5%)
1,778 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,350 (3.8%)
7,687 (8.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
160,674 (96.5%)
91,236 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
129 (0.1%)
471 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
7,761 (4.7%)
9,395 (10.1%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
13
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
4
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.1%
4.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.3%
2.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Antonio
San Francisco
One, detached
60.4%
19.1%
One, attached
2.7%
12.1%
Two
2.2%
9.0%
3 or 4
4.9%
11.4%
5 to 9
7.8%
9.0%
10 to 19
8.5%
9.3%
20 to 49
5.4%
11.3%
50 or more
6.6%
18.7%
Mobile homes
1.5%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
46,328
30,288
State government workers
29,486
22,691
Unpaid family workers
657
399
Industries and Occupations
San Antonio's economy is reinforced by healthcare, tourism, and military sectors, offering jobs in these fields more abundantly. San Francisco is a global hub for the tech industry, hosting tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple.
San Antonio boasts top-notch healthcare facilities and is more affordable. San Francisco, however, has some of the best healthcare facilities in the world, albeit at a higher cost.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities showcase well-developed infrastructure, with San Francisco taking a lead in public transport and walkability. San Antonio also has a reliable public transit system, but commuting by car is more common due to its expansive layout and affordable parking facilities.
Infrastructure
Type
San Antonio
San Francisco
Hospitals
130
16
TV stations
30
18
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
333
281
Bank institutions located here
41
52
Main business address for public companies
23
68
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
7
5
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Antonio
San Francisco
1999
6,847
1,402
2000
2,930
1,000
2001
2,383
733
2002
2,313
870
2003
3,759
1,576
2004
5,180
2,147
2005
6,554
2,344
2006
6,983
2,511
2007
4,562
2,117
2008
1,781
1,575
2009
847
952
Culture and Food
San Antonio is renowned for its Tex-Mex cuisine and vibrant culture influenced by Mexican heritage. San Francisco is known for its eclectic food culture and a rich array of international cuisines owing to its diverse population and history of immigration.
Sports Teams
For sports fans, San Antonio is home to the beloved San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. San Francisco is home to the Giants (MLB) and the 49ers (NFL) among other professional sports teams.
San Antonio, TX
San Francisco, CA
San Antonio, TX and 
San Francisco, CA : 1,486.1 miles
