Fort Worth vs San Antonio

Category / Metric	Fort Worth	San Antonio
Financial Overview
Median Income	$77,082	$62,322
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	4.2%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$332,995	$264,900
Price per SqFt	$172	$153
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$1,384	$1,197
Housing Cost Index	117.8	94.2
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	105.0	91.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$2.35	$2.35
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	589.0	798.0
Bachelor's Degree+	33.8%	30.5%
Air Quality (AQI)	35	39

Alright, let's cut through the noise. You're trying to decide between two of Texas's biggest heavyweights: Fort Worth and San Antonio. On the surface, they're both "big, red-rock cities in Texas," but if you dig a little deeper, you'll find they have wildly different personalities, price tags, and pros and cons.

This isn't just about which city has the better BBQ (spoiler: that's a fight you don't want to start). This is about your life, your wallet, and where you'll actually be happy. We're going to break it down, stat by stat, vibe by vibe, to help you make the call.

The Vibe Check: Where Culture Meets Concrete

Fort Worth is the city that never forgot it's a cowboy town. It’s the "Where the West Begins," and it wears that badge with pride. You'll find a downtown that's polished and growing, a thriving arts district, and the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas. It feels like a city that’s got one boot in its history and the other stomping on the gas pedal of the future. It’s a major hub for aerospace, defense, and logistics, drawing in a mix of blue-collar grit and white-collar ambition. It’s energetic, a little bit swaggering, and feels like it's constantly building something new.

San Antonio, on the other hand, is the soul of Texas. It’s older, with a deep Hispanic heritage that permeates everything from the food to the architecture. The River Walk is the city's beating heart—a place where you can grab a margarita and wander under century-old oak trees. It’s a city of missions (literally, UNESCO World Heritage sites) and military bases. The vibe here is more relaxed, more family-oriented, and deeply tied to its history. It feels like a city that's comfortable in its own skin.

Fort Worth is for: The young professional looking for a city with momentum, the history buff who loves the Wild West, and anyone who wants a big-city feel without the insane price tag of Dallas or Austin.
San Antonio is for: The family that prioritizes culture and affordability, the military family needing a stable community, and the foodie who could eat Tex-Mex every single day of their life.

The Dollar Power: Where Your Salary Actually Means Something

Let's get straight to it: Texas has no state income tax. That's a massive win for your paycheck right out of the gate. But the real battle here is the cost of living. If you're coming from California or the Northeast, both cities will feel like a steal. But between the two of them, there's a clear winner for pure bang for your buck.

The Cost of Living Showdown

Here's how the monthly expenses stack up. We're using the Housing Index as a baseline, where 100 is the national average.

Category	Fort Worth	San Antonio	The Takeaway
Housing Index	92.3	82.5	San Antonio is ~10% cheaper than the national average; Fort Worth is slightly above that but still affordable.
Median Rent (1BR)	$1,384	$1,197	You'll save about $187/month in San Antonio on rent. That's nearly $2,250 back in your pocket every year.
Median Home Price	$345,000	$285,000	The entry point for homeownership is significantly lower in San Antonio.
Utilities	On Par	On Par	Expect to pay around $150-$200 for basic utilities in either city.
Groceries	Slightly Higher	Slightly Lower	San Antonio's larger population and distribution network give it a slight edge.

The Purchasing Power Paradox

Okay, so San Antonio is cheaper. But wait—there's a catch.

Fort Worth's Median Income: $77,082
San Antonio's Median Income: $62,322

That's a $14,760 difference in household income. So, while your dollar goes further in San Antonio, you're also statistically likely to make more money in Fort Worth.

Let's run the math: If you earn $100,000 in Fort Worth, your money goes about 8% further than the national average. If you earn $100,000 in San Antonio, your money goes about 17% further. So, if you can land a job in Fort Worth that pays what you're worth, you'll have more purchasing power overall. But if you're working a remote job or can find a comparable salary in San Antonio, your quality of life for the cost will be higher.

Verdict: The Dollar Power Winner

San Antonio. It's not even close. The combination of significantly lower housing costs (both for renting and buying) outweighs the slightly lower average income. Unless your specific career path pays a massive premium in Fort Worth, your dollar will simply stretch further in San Antonio.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

Fort Worth

The Fort Worth housing market is hot. It's growing fast, and that demand is pushing prices up. While $345,000 is the median, that number is rising. It's a competitive market for buyers, but you're building equity in a city with strong economic fundamentals. Renting is a solid option if you're not ready to commit, but expect competition for decent apartments.

San Antonio

San Antonio offers a much lower barrier to entry for first-time homebuyers. A median price of $285,000 is a game-changer for families looking to plant roots. The market is more stable and less frenetic than Fort Worth's. You get more house and more land for your money. For renters, the options are plentiful and the prices are some of the most reasonable for a major U.S. city.

Verdict: The Housing Winner

San Antonio. If your dream is to own a home without feeling house-poor, San Antonio is your champion. It offers a rare combination of big-city amenities and small-town affordability.

The Dealbreakers: The Stuff You Can't Ignore

This is where the cities really diverge. You can talk money all day, but if you hate your commute or can't stand the weather, you won't be happy.

Traffic & Commute

Fort Worth: The traffic is no joke, especially on I-35W and I-20. It's a classic car-dependent Texas city. The average commute is around 26 minutes. Public transport (the T) exists but isn't as robust as in a city like Dallas. You will be driving.
San Antonio: Traffic is also tough, particularly on I-35 and Loop 1604. It's a sprawling city, and the average commute is slightly longer at 27 minutes. It's also very car-dependent, though the downtown/River Walk area is walkable.

Winner: It's a tie. Both are challenging Texas driving cities.

Weather

Fort Worth: Summers are scorching, with highs regularly hitting 100°F+ and high humidity. Winters are mild, with occasional freezes and maybe a dusting of snow (39°F average in Jan). You get all four seasons, but summer is the main event.
San Antonio: Similar story. Blazing hot and humid summers. The average winter low is a bit milder (45°F), and it's one of the least snowy cities in the US. It's a year-round shorts-and-t-shirts climate, but be prepared for the heat.

Winner: San Antonio. It's slightly milder in the winter and on par with Fort Worth in the summer. Both are a shock to the system if you're from a northern climate.

Crime & Safety

Let's be direct: this is a serious consideration.

Fort Worth: The violent crime rate is 589.0 per 100k people. This is high compared to the national average but lower than many other major cities.
San Antonio: The violent crime rate is significantly higher at 798.0 per 100k people. This is a major point of concern for many potential residents.

There's no sugarcoating it. According to the data provided, Fort Worth is statistically the safer city of the two. However, crime is hyper-local. Both cities have very safe, family-friendly suburbs and neighborhoods, as well as areas you should avoid. You must research the specific neighborhoods you're considering.

Verdict: The Quality of Life Winner

Fort Worth. While the cities are tied on traffic and weather, the significant gap in crime statistics gives Fort Worth the edge in this category. Safety is a fundamental need, and the numbers show Fort Worth currently offers a safer environment.

The Final Verdict: Which City Should You Choose?

This was a battle of affordability versus opportunity and safety. San Antonio's low cost of living is incredibly tempting, but Fort Worth's higher incomes and lower crime rate present a compelling case. Here’s how it breaks down for different life stages.

Winner for...	The City	The Reason
Families	San Antonio	The lower home prices are the deciding factor. You can get a great house in a good school district for a price that's simply unattainable in most other major metros.
Singles / Young Pros	Fort Worth	Higher earning potential, a more dynamic and growing job market (especially in tech and aerospace), and a vibrant social scene that feels a bit more "on the move."
Retirees	San Antonio	The combination of lower cost of living, milder winters, and a more relaxed pace of life makes it a top-tier retirement destination. Your nest egg will go much, much further.

Fort Worth: Pros & Cons

Pros:

Higher median income and stronger job market.
Lower violent crime rate.
Vibrant cultural scene (Stockyards, Arts District).
Proximity to Dallas for even more job and entertainment options.

Cons:

More expensive than San Antonio.
Growing pains and increasing traffic.
Can feel like it's in Dallas's shadow.

San Antonio: Pros & Cons**