City comparison
No. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 212 in San Antonio, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 164, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
San Antonio is cheaper. Median rent is $1,324 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Antonio and San Francisco is significant: $65,056 median household versus $140,970. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,324 in San Antonio and $2,476 in San Francisco.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. San Antonio costs less and San Francisco pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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 San Francisco are 1,487 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,152 a month (87%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $75,914 (117%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 183 in San Francisco, down 29 points (14%).
The move
San Francisco and San Antonio are 1,487 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, down $1,152 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $65,056 in San Antonio, down $75,914 (54%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 212 in San Antonio, up 29 points (16%).
San Antonio, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing San Antonio and San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
47% cheaper
San Antonio rent is 47% cheaper than San Francisco
San Antonio
Winner$1,324/mo
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Typical rent runs $1,324 a month in San Antonio versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so San Antonio is 47% cheaper. That's roughly $1,152/month back in your pocket ($13,824/year). Over five years that's $69,120 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 San Francisco, 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
117% higher
San Francisco's median income is 117% higher than San Antonio
San Antonio
$65,056
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $65,056 in San Antonio, so typical pay runs 117% higher in San Francisco (about $75,914 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, San Francisco 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
14% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 14% lower than San Antonio
San Antonio
212 (100 = avg)
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 212 in San Antonio (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in San Francisco. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in San Francisco, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in San Antonio. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
San Antonio weather is 6% more comfortable than San Francisco
San Antonio
Winner75°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco
63°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 94/100
San Antonio averages about 75°F (85°F highs); San Francisco averages about 63°F (69°F highs). San Antonio sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. San Francisco averages around 63°F. San Antonio scores 6% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose San Francisco if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
San Antonio is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 47% 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.
Pick San Antonio if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (75°F) beat San Francisco on this page's weather index by 6%. San Francisco may pay more or cost less, but San Antonio is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 117% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
San Francisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than San Antonio (183 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.
Bottom line
San Francisco runs $2,476/month while San Antonio sits at $1,324 — roughly 47% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Francisco-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
San Antonio rent at $1,324/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 75°F in San Antonio and 63°F in San Francisco.
Between San Antonio and San Francisco, San Antonio is ahead on housing cost — $1,324/month rent against $2,476. Lean San Francisco instead when your $140,970 income offer in San Francisco outweighs saving $1,152/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 San Francisco, plus other cities in TX and CA.
