Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Antonio, TX
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 San Antonio leads 11 of 21 categories
San Antonio
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,593
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
1,445,662 ✓ Larger
Worcester
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
San Antonio, TX
Pros
Homes cost $108k less ($198,000 vs $305,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 32°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.9%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Rent averages $123/mo less ($1,189 vs $1,312)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
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
Median income trails Worcester by $3,418/yr
Worcester, MA
Pros
97% less violent crime than San Antonio
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 94°F
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $3,418 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 10% higher than San Antonio
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
San Antonio
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.7 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
San Antonio
Median Home Value
$108k less
$198,000 vs $305,600
San Antonio
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.6% unemployment
San Antonio
Summer Heat
14.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$3,418
$63,011 vs $59,593/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
97% lower
16.5 vs 594.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.7 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $198,000 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,189 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,593 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.5 min | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 182⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (97) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.2:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.7% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.8% | 85.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | NORTHSIDE ISD | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.2°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.0" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,445,662 ✓ Larger | 204,191 |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.1% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Antonio's cost of living index is 93.7 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
San Antonio is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, San Antonio leads 11 of 21 categories. San Antonio wins 11 and Worcester wins 10. 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 San Antonio to Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,000 vs $305,600 median home), income ($59,593 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Antonio, TX and Worcester, MA are about 1,727 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.