Roswell vs San Antonio

Category / Metric	Roswell	San Antonio
Financial Overview
Median Income	$50,294	$62,322
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	4.2%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$217,000	$264,900
Price per SqFt	$140	$153
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$935	$1,197
Housing Cost Index	107.5	94.2
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	91.6	91.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$2.35
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	778.3	798.0
Bachelor's Degree+	19.6%	30.5%
Air Quality (AQI)	35	39

San Antonio vs. Roswell: The Ultimate Texas Showdown

Look, picking a place to move isn't just about spreadsheets. It’s about where you’ll grab your morning coffee, how long you’ll sit in traffic, and whether you can actually afford to live there without eating ramen for dinner. You’ve got two Texas options: San Antonio, the big-city giant with a historic soul, and Roswell, the smaller, quieter sibling in the desert. Both are in Texas, which means no state income tax and plenty of sunshine, but that’s where the similarities end.

We’re going to break this down like a real talk conversation over a couple of cold drinks. No fluff, just the raw data and the real-life implications. Let’s find out which one deserves your next lease or mortgage payment.

1. The Vibe Check: Big City Energy vs. Small Town Chill

San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the U.S. for a reason. It’s a sprawling metro of nearly 1.5 million people. The vibe here is a unique blend of deep history (think the Alamo), a heavy military presence (San Antonio is a huge military town), and a surprisingly robust tech and healthcare scene. The River Walk is world-famous, the tacos are legendary, and the culture is 100% Texan. It’s bustling, diverse, and you’ll never run out of things to do—museums, professional sports, festivals, you name it. It’s for the person who thrives on energy, wants access to major city amenities, and doesn’t mind a little hustle.

Roswell, on the other hand, is a complete 180. With a population of just 47,823, it’s a true small town. Yes, it’s known for its "alien" history (the 1947 crash), but the real vibe is a quiet, suburban-friendly community in the high desert of Southeast New Mexico. It’s a place where you know your neighbors, the pace is slower, and the nights are dark enough to see the Milky Way. It’s for the person looking to escape the rat race, who values peace and quiet over nightlife, and who doesn’t mind a bit of isolation.

Who is it for?

• San Antonio: The family that wants big-city schools and activities, the young professional looking for a job market that isn't just oil and gas, and the foodie who wants endless options.
• Roswell: The retiree seeking a quiet, low-stress environment, the remote worker with a stable income who wants their paycheck to stretch incredibly far, and the person who genuinely prefers wide-open spaces over crowded streets.

2. The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Money Stretch Further?

This is where the rubber meets the road. Texas has no state income tax, which is a huge win for your bottom line. But the cost of living tells a different story between these two cities.

Let’s look at the hard numbers for a typical monthly budget (excluding taxes, since both states have no income tax):

Expense Category	San Antonio	Roswell	The Difference
Rent (1BR)	$1,197	$935	Roswell is 22% cheaper
Utilities	~$180	~$160	Roswell is slightly cheaper (milder winters in Roswell mean lower heating bills, but AC is a must in both).
Groceries	~$300	~$275	Roswell is roughly 8% cheaper.

Salary Wars & Purchasing Power:
Let’s say you earn the median income in each city.

• In San Antonio, a $62,322 salary feels like it goes a decent way, but rent eats a larger chunk. Your purchasing power is solid, but you’re in a bigger, more competitive market.
• In Roswell, a $50,294 salary goes further. With lower rent and groceries, your disposable income can feel higher. You might not have the same high-paying job opportunities, but your day-to-day expenses are lighter.

The Verdict on Cash: If you can secure a remote job paying a San Antonio or higher salary, Roswell offers insane purchasing power. You’ll feel significantly richer. If you’re tied to local job markets, San Antonio offers higher earning potential, but Roswell’s lower costs can make a lower salary feel more comfortable.

3. The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

San Antonio: The median home price is $264,900. This is reasonable for a major U.S. city. The market is competitive but not as cutthroat as Austin or Dallas. You can find decent suburban homes for this price. Renting is a viable option, with a 1BR averaging $1,197. It’s a balanced market—buyers have some leverage, but sellers aren’t desperate.

Roswell: The median home price is $217,000. That’s a stunningly low number for a home. However, the Housing Index is 107.5 (San Antonio is 94.2), which indicates that housing costs are slightly less affordable relative to income in Roswell than in San Antonio. Why? Lower median income. The rental market is a bargain at $935 for a 1BR. The inventory is smaller, so finding the perfect place can take time, but competition is lower.

The Deal: If you’re looking to buy, Roswell gives you more house for your money, but you must be comfortable with a smaller community and potentially fewer amenities. San Antonio offers more variety and a potentially stronger long-term appreciation due to its size and growth.

4. The Dealbreakers: Traffic, Weather, and Safety

Traffic & Commute:

• San Antonio: Traffic is real. I-35 and Loop 1604 can be a nightmare during rush hour. Commutes can easily be 30-45 minutes if you live in the suburbs. It’s a car-centric city; public transport exists but isn’t as robust as in bigger metros like Chicago or NYC.
• Roswell: The commute is nonexistent. You can get across town in under 15 minutes. The biggest traffic jam is behind a tractor on the highway. This is a massive quality-of-life win for those who hate sitting in a car.

Weather:

• San Antonio: Hot. Very hot. Summers regularly hit 95-100°F+ with high humidity. Winters are mild (rarely freezing), but the humidity makes the heat feel oppressive. You’ll rely on AC from May to September.
• Roswell: High desert climate. The data point of 55.0°F is likely an annual average. Summers are hot but dry (often 90-95°F), which is more tolerable than humid heat. Winters are cold, with occasional snow and freezes. You need a good heater and a coat.

Crime & Safety:
Let’s be brutally honest. Both cities have violent crime rates above the national average (which is ~380/100k).

• San Antonio: 798.0/100k. This is high. Like, "be aware of your surroundings" high. Crime is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods, so where you live matters immensely. It’s a big-city reality.
• Roswell: 778.3/100k. Surprisingly, it’s almost as high as San Antonio per capita. This can be shocking for a small town. It suggests that while day-to-day life feels safe, property crime and specific incidents do occur. You can’t let the small-town charm blind you.

The Weather & Safety Verdict: If you hate humidity, Roswell is the clear winner. If you hate cold winters, San Antonio is better. For safety, you must research specific neighborhoods in both cities—neither is universally "safe."

5. The Final Verdict

After weighing the data and the lifestyle factors, here’s how they stack up for different people.

🏆 Winner for Families: San Antonio
The math is simple. Better school districts (on average), more family-oriented activities (zoos, theme parks, museums), and a larger community of families. While crime is a concern, you can find safe, affordable suburbs. Roswell’s schools are smaller and the activity options are limited.

🏆 Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: San Antonio
The job market is vastly more diverse (tech, healthcare, military, tourism). The nightlife, food scene, and social opportunities are on another level. You’ll meet more people and have more career options. Roswell is a place you move to after you’ve built your career, not during the building phase.

🏆 Winner for Retirees: Roswell
This is a close call, but Roswell takes it. The lower cost of living, especially housing, is a huge draw on a fixed income. The quiet pace, lack of traffic, and dry heat (easier on arthritis) are big pluses. The crime rate is a concern, but so is San Antonio’s. For peace and quiet, Roswell wins.

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The Final Pros & Cons

San Antonio

Pros:

• Vibrant Culture & Food: World-class Tex-Mex, diverse dining, rich history.
• Strong Job Market: Multiple major industries, higher median income.
• Endless Activities: Pro sports, festivals, museums, shopping.
• No State Income Tax: Keeps more of your paycheck.

Cons:

• High Crime: Rates are significantly above national average.
• Traffic & Commute: Can be frustrating and time-consuming.
• Humid Summers: The heat is no joke and can be draining.
• Higher Cost of Living: Rent and home prices are steeper than Roswell.

Roswell

Pros:

• Extremely Affordable: Lower rent, home prices, and daily expenses.
• Small-Town Feel: Tight-knit community, know your neighbors.
• No Traffic: Easy, quick commutes.
• Dry Climate: Tolerable summers (no humidity) and beautiful skies.

Cons:

• Isolation: Far from major metros (5+ hours to Albuquerque or El Paso).
• Limited Job Market: Fewer opportunities, lower median income.
• Surprisingly High Crime: Rates rival San Antonio’s per capita.
• Fewer Amenities: Limited shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

The Bottom Line:
Choose San Antonio if you crave city life, career opportunities, and don’t mind paying a bit more for convenience and culture. Choose Roswell if you prioritize affordability, peace, and a slower pace, and you can secure a stable income (especially remotely) to make the most of it.

Whichever you pick, do your homework on specific neighborhoods. Good luck, and welcome to Texas