San Antonio, Texas, and West Adams, Colorado, hold distinct characteristics that significantly influence the residential and tourist experiences. As two areas contrasting in terms of urban development and rustic charm respectively, the relative living conditions dwell on various factors such as crime rates, climatic conditions, cost of living, education systems and more. A comprehensive comparison of these aspects can catalyze informed decisions for potential relocations or tourism.
San Antonio, while considered largely safe, has slightly above national average crime rates, particularly in property crimes. Still, it's important to note that crime is predominantly concentrated in certain neighborhoods. Conversely, West Adams holds a lower than average crime rate, extending a safer environment due to its smaller population and rural setting. Both areas necessitate caution like any other location, though the risk is significantly minimal in West Adams.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Antonio is generally lower than the national average, significantly driven by affordable housing, utility bills, and groceries. On the other hand, West Adams has a higher cost of living, particularly due to increased housing prices and general living costs.
Income Tax
Another financial advantage in San Antonio, Texas, is the absence of state income tax. Colorado does have a state income tax that applies to residents of West Adams.
Property Tax
San Antonio has relatively high property tax rates, a common characteristic of Texas, while Colorado, including West Adams, has one of the lowest property tax rates in the country.
Sales Tax
Texas, which includes San Antonio, does not impose a state sales tax, unlike Colorado. However, the latter's sales tax rate is considered manageable and within the average national range.
Income
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Estimated median household income
$54,923
$86,329
Estimated per capita income
$28,860
$37,504
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
117.6
If you make $50,000 in San Antonio, you will have to make $67,047 in West Adams to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Antonio is largely flat, making it easily navigable. West Adams is located in a mountainous region, providing scenic landscapes and opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Geographical information
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Land area
407.6 sq. miles
74.5 sq. miles
Population density
3,562.3 people per sq. mile
4,165.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
San Antonio, TX West Adams, CO
Education
San Antonio is home to numerous public and private schools, universities, and colleges, including the renowned University of Texas at San Antonio. However, West Adams is smaller and has fewer schools overall, but boasts of high quality educational institutions due to Colorado's high rank in national education standards.
San Antonio's economy is diverse, spanning military, healthcare, government services, financial services, oil and gas, and tourism. Conversely, West Adams mostly leans towards agriculture, specifically livestock and crop farming, with its economy largely revolving around local businesses and services.
Biggest Employers
In San Antonio, the biggest employers include Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and USAA. In West Adams, the employment scene is more local, with farming and educational institutions being the primary sources of employment.
In San Antonio (Bexar County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 47.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In West Adams (Adams County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 40.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
2020
58.3%
57.1%
40.1%
40.7%
1.5%
2.2%
2016
54.2%
50.1%
40.8%
41.6%
5.0%
8.3%
2012
51.6%
57.3%
47.1%
40.4%
1.4%
2.3%
2008
52.3%
58.5%
46.7%
40.1%
1.0%
1.4%
2004
44.5%
50.7%
55.0%
48.4%
0.6%
0.9%
2000
44.9%
50.3%
52.3%
44.2%
2.7%
5.5%
1996
49.7%
51.3%
44.6%
38.9%
5.7%
9.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.8%
16.0%
8.6%
4.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
6.8%
0.7%
23.5%
7.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.1%
0.8%
0.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.7%
1.0%
3.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.6%
0.1%
1.6%
1.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.4%
2.2%
2.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.4%
1.3%
3.3%
Weather
San Antonio possesses a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters, attracting those who prefer warmer weather. For those who enjoy snowfall and appreciate the coziness of colder seasons, West Adams offers cool summers and cold, snowy winters due to its higher altitude.
Weather and climate
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Temperature - Average
68.7°F
49.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.9%
50.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
37%
20%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
55%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50%
35%
Precipitation - Yearly average
32.2 in
13.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.2 in
114 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.5%
19.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
62.4%
75.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
64%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in San Antonio, Texas
Average climate in West Adams, Colorado
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
San Antonio
West Adams
2018
83
104
N/A
0.31
4.9
18.6
25.6
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
29.2
8.0
9.2
0.2
0.8
2017
85
97
N/A
0.31
5.1
18.8
26.9
27.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.0
8.4
8.9
1.7
0.9
2016
79
90
N/A
0.40
5.2
20.9
25.7
26.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.6
8.2
8.4
0.8
0.9
2015
76
101
N/A
0.42
4.7
19.7
25.4
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.2
9.2
9.4
0.7
1.1
2014
84
94
N/A
0.38
5.5
19.1
27.3
27.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.3
9.5
10.1
0.6
1.2
2013
79
83
N/A
0.37
4.1
17.3
28.2
27.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.7
9.0
N/A
0.7
1.3
2012
77
90
N/A
0.37
4.5
18.9
27.5
27.4
N/A
N/A
18.1
23.5
9.2
N/A
N/A
0.9
2011
85
90
N/A
0.35
4.6
18.1
29.2
28.0
N/A
N/A
18.9
24.0
9.9
N/A
N/A
1.4
2010
75
78
0.21
0.37
7.2
16.3
25.8
26.6
N/A
N/A
17.1
27.1
9.2
N/A
N/A
1.0
2009
74
76
0.23
0.35
8.3
14.1
25.7
26.6
0.005
N/A
19.5
23.0
9.8
N/A
0.4
1.3
2008
84
85
0.26
0.39
9.3
17.3
26.8
27.9
0.008
N/A
19.8
25.9
10.1
N/A
0.5
1.6
2007
83
96
0.49
0.46
9.3
20.6
26.3
25.4
0.007
N/A
23.4
27.8
10.3
N/A
N/A
1.2
2006
86
89
0.51
0.49
9.7
19.0
32.7
24.1
0.034
N/A
24.8
28.0
9.8
N/A
N/A
1.4
2005
86
86
0.53
0.56
10.7
21.3
30.8
21.4
0.124
N/A
22.3
29.5
10.1
N/A
N/A
1.5
2004
76
82
0.48
0.59
10.4
21.2
29.6
19.4
0.051
N/A
22.4
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
2003
77
106
0.57
0.55
10.3
21.2
28.5
21.1
0.055
N/A
26.7
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
2002
88
86
0.52
0.56
11.2
19.2
30.3
20.9
0.034
N/A
N/A
35.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.4
2001
78
95
0.57
0.69
11.9
24.6
29.3
17.7
0.040
N/A
N/A
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
2000
82
94
0.52
0.67
11.7
14.1
29.6
19.0
0.042
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
91.5%
130.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
73.7%
809.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
11%
Transportation
San Antonio holds an extensive public transport system, involving buses and a growing bike-share program, alongside major interstate freeways for commuting. West Adams, due to its rural nature, is less dependent on public transport with personal vehicles being more common.
Transport
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
987
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
29
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Bicycle
0.2%
0.2%
Bus
1.6%
4.2%
Carpooled
12.9%
13.1%
Car alone
81.9%
77.4%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
1.6%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Average
27 min
28.2 min
Real Estate
Real estate is more affordable in San Antonio in comparison to West Adams. Properties range from urban apartments to suburban homes in the former, while the latter mostly offers houses with larger plots.
Neighborhoods
San Antonio has diverse neighborhoods, ranging from historic districts like King William to artsy areas such as Southtown. West Adams is sparsely populated, characterized by rural landscapes and small local communities.
Houses and residents
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
Houses
603,670
96,976
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.7
Houses occupied
549,245 (91%)
94,294 (97.2%)
Houses occupied by owners
290,123 (52.8%)
68,196 (72.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
259,122 (47.2%)
26,098 (27.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,143
$1,683
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$189,213
$576,371
Estimated median house or condo value
$197,600
$438,983
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
6.8
Renting percentage
43.5%
35.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,481.2
1,301.4
Household income disparities
44.7%
38.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
5,815 (3.5%)
8,555 (15.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,350 (3.8%)
181 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
160,674 (96.5%)
46,792 (84.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
129 (0.1%)
4,321 (7.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
7,761 (4.7%)
10,023 (18.1%)
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
6,415
State government workers
29,486
3,185
Unpaid family workers
657
326
Industries and Occupations
Diverse industries are found in San Antonio such as manufacturing, aeronautics, Information Technology, and energy sectors. West Adams, however, is majorly agricultural with industries revolving around farming and livestock rearing.
San Antonio is home to many top-rated hospitals and healthcare facilities. Though fewer in number, West Adams still offers reliable options for healthcare services due to Colorado's well-regarded healthcare system.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Antonio, as a large city, has developed infrastructure with high-speed roads, public utilities, high-rise buildings, and airport. West Adams, being rural, has simpler structures and comparatively less urban development, although it retains a charming, rustic appeal.
Infrastructure
Type
San Antonio
West Adams
TV stations
30
17
Culture and Food
San Antonio boasts a rich cultural history reflected in its food, music, and festivals. Its Tex-Mex cuisine is renowned. West Adams is quieter, offering rural charm, local eateries and community events.
Sports Teams
San Antonio residents are proud supporters of their NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs. West Adams lacks major sports teams, although residents may support Denver-based teams due to a relatively close proximity.