City comparison
Yes. San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 164 versus 241, using 2024-2025 FBI data for San Antonio and 2022 FBI data for Orlando.
San Antonio is cheaper. Median rent is $1,324 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
The cost gap between San Antonio and Orlando is the real story here. San Antonio comes in 24% cheaper on typical rent ($1,324 vs $1,747), which over a year adds up to $5,076. Median household income runs $65,056 in San Antonio and $72,336 in Orlando.
This is a genuine split. San Antonio wins on cost of living and safety and Orlando wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. San Antonio at $1,324 average has pockets that run $1,124 and others at $1,724: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Antonio and Orlando are 1,035 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $423 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $72,336 in Orlando, up $7,280 (11%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 242 in Orlando, up 30 points (14%).
The move
Orlando and San Antonio are 1,035 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, down $423 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $65,056 in San Antonio, down $7,280 (10%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 212 in San Antonio, down 30 points (12%).
San Antonio, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Orlando, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing San Antonio and Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
San Antonio rent is 24% cheaper than Orlando
San Antonio
Winner$1,324/mo
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Typical rent runs $1,324 a month in San Antonio versus $1,747 in Orlando, so San Antonio is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $423/month back in your pocket ($5,076/year). Over five years that's $25,380 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Orlando, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, San Antonio is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in San Antonio? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
11% higher
Orlando's median income is 11% higher than San Antonio
San Antonio
$65,056
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $65,056 in San Antonio, so typical pay runs 11% higher in Orlando (about $7,280 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Orlando is the stronger labor market on paper. San Antonio can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
12% lower crime
San Antonio's crime index is 12% lower than Orlando
San Antonio
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in San Antonio. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in San Antonio, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Orlando. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Antonio and Orlando are about even on typical weather.
San Antonio
72°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Orlando
71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Antonio averages about 72°F (82°F highs); Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs). San Antonio sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Orlando sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
San Antonio is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,324 a month. Choose San Antonio if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
San Antonio is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Orlando (212 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Orlando is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 11% higher here ($72,336). Start with Orlando if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
On rent alone, San Antonio undercuts Orlando by $423/month ($1,324 vs $1,747). I would not pick Orlando on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
San Antonio rent at $1,324/month is still below Orlando's $1,747, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $65,056 in San Antonio.
Between San Antonio and Orlando, San Antonio is ahead on housing cost — $1,324/month rent against $1,747. Lean Orlando instead when your $72,336 income offer in Orlando outweighs saving $423/month in San Antonio.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Antonio and Orlando, plus other cities in TX and FL.
