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San Antonio vs El Paso: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

San Antonio is 2% more expensive than El Paso. El Paso is 56% safer. San Antonio population: 1,548,422. El Paso population: 683,012.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingEl Paso
SafetyEl Paso
HousingEl Paso

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: San Antonio vs El Paso

El Paso is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 90 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 2 index points.

CategorySan AntonioEl Paso
Overall Index9088
Housing$1,566/moIndex: 88$1,460/moIndex: 82
Groceries$390/moIndex: 95$390/moIndex: 95
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$343/moIndex: 98
Healthcare$314/moIndex: 98$304/moIndex: 95
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$220/moIndex: 100

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: San Antonio vs El Paso

El Paso is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs San Antonio's 53. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade compared to San Antonio's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

San Antonio

Texas

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate53/1K
TrendImproving
C+

El Paso

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendImproving
MetricSan AntonioEl Paso
Overall Crime Rate53/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate500.0440.3
Property Crime Rate4800.01883.3
Murder Rate9.38.5
Assault Rate356.2276.6
Robbery Rate67.757.5
Burglary Rate837.0299.3
Theft Rate3732.91393.6
Vehicle Theft Rate970.3173.6

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In San Antonio, you have a 1 in 19 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in El Paso.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for San Antonio. A full comparison requires both cities.

San Antonio Climate Overview

Annual High81°F
Annual Low57.8°F
Annual Rain31.5"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio cheaper than El Paso?
San Antonio and El Paso have very similar costs of living (index 90 vs 88, where 100 is the national average). Day-to-day expenses are comparable in both cities.
Is San Antonio safer than El Paso?
El Paso is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs San Antonio's 53. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to San Antonio or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso is safer (C+ grade). El Paso is more affordable (index 88 vs 90). San Antonio has a population of 1,548,422 and El Paso has 683,012. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is San Antonio compared to El Paso?
San Antonio has a population of 1,548,422 and El Paso has 683,012. San Antonio is 127% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in San Antonio or El Paso?
Housing is cheaper in El Paso. Estimated monthly housing costs: San Antonio $1,566/mo vs El Paso $1,460/mo. That's based on a housing index of 88 vs 82 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
San Antonio Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
El Paso Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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