Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Miami, FL
VS
San Antonio, TX
🏆 San Antonio leads 13 of 23 categories
Miami
Florida
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,858
Violent Crime Index
125⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
443,665
San Antonio
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,593 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
1,445,662 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Miami, FL
Pros
20% less violent crime than San Antonio
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 74°F vs 63°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $433,900
Violent crime (473.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,494/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Pros
Homes cost $236k less ($198,000 vs $433,900)
Rent averages $305/mo less ($1,189 vs $1,494)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
Households earn $4,735 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (594.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4623.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Miami
Violent Crime
20% lower
473.3 vs 594.1 per 100k
Miami
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
San Antonio
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 93.7 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
San Antonio
Median Income
$4,735
$59,593 vs $54,858/yr
San Antonio
Median Home Value
$236k less
$198,000 vs $433,900
San Antonio
Summer Heat
6.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 87.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 93.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $433,900⚠ High | $198,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,494⚠ High | $1,189 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,858 | $59,593 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.2 min⚠ High | 24.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 9.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 182⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.4:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.2% ✓ Higher | 27.7% |
| High School or Higher | 78.8% | 83.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MIAMI-DADE | NORTHSIDE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 73.6°F ✓ Warmer | 63.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 87.8°F | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.2" | 34.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 443,665 | 1,445,662 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.7 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.1% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.5% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.3% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Miami's cost of living index is 111.8 vs San Antonio's 93.7 (US average = 100).
San Antonio is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Antonio leads 13 of 23 categories. Miami wins 10 and San Antonio wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Miami to San Antonio or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($433,900 vs $198,000 median home), income ($54,858 vs $59,593), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Miami, FL and San Antonio, TX are about 1,149 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.