Unique, welcoming and culturally intelligent, San Antonio is considered one of the most welcoming cities in Texas. Rents in Austin have skyrocketed, making it very difficult to find good affordable housing. In San Antonio, a decent apartment at a reasonable price is pretty much the norm. On average, Austin is approximately 40% more expensive than San Antonio when it comes to renting.
And not only are rents much cheaper, but the overall cost of living in San Antonio is generally more affordable than in Austin. In other words, how about living in a city that you can actually afford? If your top priority is affordable real estate and maximizing your initial investment in a home, then San Antonio represents a better purchase. However, if you value great bars and restaurants, great schools and a thriving job market more highly, Austin may be the right place for you. A recent Huffington Post article sparked a heated debate when it crowned San Antonio as the “New Austin.” If you're looking to make Central Texas your home, but can't decide if Austin or San Antonio is a better fit for your needs, read on for an in-depth comparison of these two popular Texas cities, including real estate, jobs, education, and more.
In terms of travel time, both Austin and San Antonio suffer from heavy traffic and congestion, but Austin has the worst record. Those who prefer art exhibitions can find notable collections at the San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay Museum of Art, a smaller venue that focuses on modern and contemporary art. Both Austin and San Antonio are car-dependent cities, and most travelers use private vehicles to get around. When it comes to the overall cost of living, there's a big difference between Austin and San Antonio; living in Austin costs 33% more than living in San Antonio, according to Sperling's Best Places.
The city does have access to B-Cycle, a bicycle-sharing program that is present in other metropolitan areas of Texas (especially in Austin), so many advocates for safe streets in San Antonio are cautiously optimistic that conditions for those who don't drive in Alamo City could improve in the near future. But, like all sibling relationships, the bond between San Antonio and Austin is primarily threatened by competition. I was born and raised in Austin and gladly moved to San Antonio (I have friends back home who haven't forgiven me yet). The potential for job growth and upward mobility usually play an important role in any move, so researching the economic situation in both Austin and San Antonio can help you decide which location is best for you from a professional perspective.
Instead, the colorful celebration is a week-long festival hailed as a “party with a purpose,” raising funds that benefit the citizens of San Antonio year-round. These are all the reasons why living in San Antonio is better than living in its neighbor to the north. And, as Austin has increasingly grown in popularity and reputation, San Antonio has felt the need to defend its honor a bit.
