Chicago, IL, and San Antonio, TX, though part of the same country, seem like two different worlds, from weather to culture to amenities. Both cities are attractive relocation destinations, offering unique living experiences. Chicago, a cultural hub known for its music, food, and sports, has the hustle and bustle of a large metropolis. San Antonio, on the other hand, is more relaxed, offering a blend of American and Mexican cultures, a strong military presence, and a rich history. This detailed comparison will help you understand what it might be like to relocate or travel to these two cities.
Distance between
Chicago, IL and
San Antonio, TX : 1,048.1 miles
Chicago's population is larger by 86%. Its population has decreased by 199,461 people (6.9%) since 2000. The population of San Antonio has grown by 307,207 people (26.8%) during that time.
Chicago often struggles with the perception it's more dangerous due to its higher crime rates, particularly in specific neighborhoods. However, there are also many safe and secure areas. San Antonio, comparatively, has crime too but instances are localised and lower in volume. Both cities are constantly putting efforts into controlling crime through community outreach programs and policy reforms.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 3,420 registered sex offenders living in Chicago and 3,812 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Chicago is 791 to 1; the ratio in San Antonio is 392 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Chicago than in San Antonio.
Cost of Living
San Antonio generally has a lower cost of living than Chicago. Everything from housing to groceries and healthcare is statistically cheaper in San Antonio. Chicago, being a bigger city with a larger population, carries a higher price tag for most expenses.
Income Tax
Illinois, and by extension Chicago, has a state income tax. In contrast, Texas doesn't impose any state income tax, making San Antonio an appealing option for those looking to save on income-related expenses.
Property Tax
Property tax rates are higher in Chicago, driven by the city's high operating costs. San Antonio's property tax rates are generally lower, aligning with the overall lower cost of living.
Sales Tax
Chicago has a higher sales tax —one of the highest in the U.S. San Antonio also has sales tax, but it's significantly lower due to statewide taxation policies in Texas.
Income
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Estimated median household income
$66,576
$54,923
Estimated per capita income
$43,217
$28,860
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
104.8
87.7
If you make $50,000 in San Antonio, you will have to make $59,749 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Chicago is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, with numerous beaches and parks. Its flat landscape is dotted with skyscrapers. San Antonio is in the Texas plains with rolling terrain and features like the San Antonio River flowing through the city.
Both cities have strong education systems. Chicago has numerous acclaimed public and private schools and hosts some of the country's top universities, like the University of Chicago and Northwestern. San Antonio also has a robust school system and is home to well-regarded colleges, including the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Chicago's economy is larger and more diverse, with strengths in finance, insurance, engineering, publishing, and food processing. San Antonio's economy relies heavily on the military, healthcare, government services, tourism, and education sectors. Both cities have shown resilience during economic downturns and offer various opportunities for job seekers.
Biggest Employers
In Chicago, the biggest employers span several industries, including Advocate Health, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, and the University of Chicago. San Antonio's largest employers are the various military bases, government entities, and the healthcare sector, including Methodist Healthcare System and H-E-B Grocery Company.
There were 414 building permits issued in Chicago in 2012 (200 more than in 2011) compared to 6,567 building permits issued in San Antonio in 2012 (4973 more than in 2011).
In Chicago (Cook County), 74.0% voted for Democrats and 24.6% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In San Antonio (Bexar County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 47.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
2020
74.6%
58.3%
24.1%
40.1%
1.3%
1.5%
2016
74.4%
54.2%
20.9%
40.8%
4.7%
5.0%
2012
74.0%
51.6%
24.6%
47.1%
1.4%
1.4%
2008
76.4%
52.3%
22.9%
46.7%
0.7%
1.0%
2004
70.3%
44.5%
29.2%
55.0%
0.6%
0.6%
2000
69.0%
44.9%
28.8%
52.3%
2.3%
2.7%
1996
66.8%
49.7%
26.7%
44.6%
6.5%
5.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
CATHOLIC CHURCH
37.5%
30.8%
11.1%
8.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.9%
1.2%
1.8%
0.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.6%
4.3%
2.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.0%
6.8%
5.4%
23.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.7%
3.6%
1.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.4%
0.2%
1.6%
0.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.6%
1.8%
1.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.2%
1.9%
1.3%
Weather
Weather varies greatly between Chicago and San Antonio. The former, known for its harsh winters, experiences all four seasons with sometimes biting winter temperatures. The "Windy City," occasionally sees lake-effect snow, adding to the chill. San Antonio, as part of the southern state of Texas, has mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Temperature - Average
50.3°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
74.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
54%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.8 in
32.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
77.6 in
1.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14%
17.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
62.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
72%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
35%
48%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
8.9 mph
Average climate in Chicago, Illinois
Average climate in San Antonio, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
Chicago
San Antonio
2018
97
83
0.26
N/A
14.3
4.9
26.2
25.6
N/A
N/A
23.6
N/A
9.3
8.0
1.7
0.2
2017
95
85
0.25
N/A
14.3
5.1
26.4
26.9
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
8.7
8.4
1.4
1.7
2016
95
79
0.21
N/A
14.9
5.2
26.5
25.7
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.1
8.2
0.8
0.8
2015
92
76
0.51
N/A
15.0
4.7
25.4
25.4
N/A
N/A
23.3
N/A
10.5
9.2
0.9
0.7
2014
101
84
0.45
N/A
18.0
5.5
25.1
27.3
N/A
N/A
28.9
N/A
10.7
9.5
1.3
0.6
2013
100
79
0.37
N/A
18.3
4.1
23.8
28.2
N/A
N/A
30.3
N/A
11.1
9.0
1.0
0.7
2012
112
77
0.36
N/A
18.8
4.5
25.7
27.5
N/A
N/A
31.3
18.1
12.1
9.2
1.7
N/A
2011
101
85
0.38
N/A
18.6
4.6
24.8
29.2
N/A
N/A
21.9
18.9
12.8
9.9
2.4
N/A
2010
103
75
0.37
0.21
20.4
7.2
25.4
25.8
N/A
N/A
22.2
17.1
12.9
9.2
1.4
N/A
2009
106
74
0.29
0.23
20.0
8.3
22.4
25.7
0.025
N/A
20.1
19.5
12.9
9.8
1.4
0.4
2008
108
84
0.32
0.26
22.8
9.3
22.8
26.8
0.026
N/A
22.7
19.8
12.5
10.1
1.8
0.5
2007
125
83
0.34
0.49
23.6
9.3
23.9
26.3
0.027
N/A
25.9
23.4
13.1
10.3
2.2
N/A
2006
95
86
0.31
0.51
23.0
9.7
21.1
32.7
0.029
N/A
22.0
24.8
N/A
9.8
2.6
N/A
2005
110
86
0.55
0.53
23.5
10.7
23.3
30.8
0.027
N/A
26.2
22.3
N/A
10.1
3.3
N/A
2004
85
76
0.83
0.48
23.9
10.4
20.3
29.6
0.032
N/A
23.4
22.4
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
2003
99
77
0.69
0.57
25.1
10.3
20.0
28.5
0.030
N/A
23.3
26.7
N/A
N/A
3.1
N/A
2002
114
88
0.83
0.52
26.5
11.2
20.8
30.3
0.029
N/A
24.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
N/A
2001
107
78
0.83
0.57
27.3
11.9
19.2
29.3
0.031
N/A
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
N/A
2000
104
82
0.88
0.52
24.8
11.7
17.6
29.6
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.2
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
145.8%
91.5%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
136.9%
73.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
20%
21%
Transportation
Chicago has one of the country's best public transportation systems, including buses, trains, and expansive bike-friendly routes. San Antonio is car-dependent with its spread-out nature, but it also has VIA Metropolitan Transit, which offers bus routes throughout the city.
Transport
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
987
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
29
Means of transportation to work
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Bicycle
1.6%
0.2%
Bus
8%
1.6%
Carpooled
8.3%
12.9%
Car alone
62.3%
81.9%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Streetcar
6.8%
0%
Subway
3.5%
0%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.1%
Walked
5.9%
1.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Average
36.9 min
27 min
Other means
33.1 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
44.8 min
43.5 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.7%
84.6%
In 2 person carpool
9.3%
10.4%
In 3 person carpool
2.4%
3.3%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0.6%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Chicago boasts more expensive property values due to its size, influence, and desirable lakefront locations. San Antonio's real estate market is more affordable, with median prices well below national averages.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have diverse neighborhoods catering to different lifestyles. Chicago's neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, The Loop, and Hyde Park, offer various attractions. San Antonio has charming neighborhoods like Alamo Heights, Downtown, and Stone Oak, each with unique appeal.
Houses and residents
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Houses
1,272,191
603,670
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.7
Median year apartment built
1955
1987
Median year house/condo built
1951
1981
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.7 years
14.3 years
Houses occupied
1,139,537 (89.6%)
549,245 (91%)
Houses occupied by owners
530,977 (46.6%)
290,123 (52.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
608,560 (53.4%)
259,122 (47.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,546
$1,143
Median monthly housing costs
$1,356
$1,101
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$355,671
$189,213
Estimated median house or condo value
$297,300
$197,600
Median numbers of rooms
4.8
5.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$357,707
$238,319
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$345,352
$407,491
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$477,161
$120,363
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$439,589
$163,867
Median house price - mobile homes
$472,017
$105,850
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$235,959
$20,297
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$518,665
$188,542
Median house price - All housing units
$388,874
$234,615
Median house age
70
37
Renting percentage
55.1%
43.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,601.1
1,481.2
House value disparities
35.6%
33.6%
Household income disparities
48.4%
44.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$110,175
$87,382
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,495
$60,785
Housing units without a mortgage
6,624 (1.9%)
5,815 (3.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
17,661 (5.1%)
6,350 (3.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
339,523 (98.1%)
160,674 (96.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
808 (0.2%)
129 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
25,416 (7.3%)
7,761 (4.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
13
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
2
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.5%
2.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.8%
1.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Chicago
San Antonio
One, detached
26.4%
60.4%
One, attached
3.5%
2.7%
Two
13.3%
2.2%
3 or 4
14.0%
4.9%
5 to 9
11.0%
7.8%
10 to 19
4.6%
8.5%
20 to 49
6.5%
5.4%
50 or more
20.6%
6.6%
Mobile homes
0.2%
1.5%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
67,964
46,328
State government workers
41,316
29,486
Unpaid family workers
4,164
657
Industries and Occupations
Chicago prides itself on a broad range of industries, from manufacturing and finance to technology and healthcare. In contrast, San Antonio has a more focused industrial scope, predominantly in healthcare, education, government service, and tourism.
Both cities offer strong healthcare systems. Chicago is known for its world-class hospitals and medical research institutions. San Antonio also provides good healthcare, with a special emphasis on military and veteran care due to its strong military presence.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
As a larger city and a central transportation hub, Chicago has a more extensive infrastructure, including airports, trains, and public transit. San Antonio's infrastructure supports its tourism industry well, with a range of facilities and public amenities, including an extensive highway system.
Infrastructure
Type
Chicago
San Antonio
Hospitals
86
130
TV stations
22
30
Arenas or stadiums
7
2
Bank branches located here
740
333
Bank institutions located here
99
41
Main business address for public companies
110
23
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
22
7
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Chicago
San Antonio
1999
7,501
6,847
2000
8,763
2,930
2001
7,090
2,383
2002
7,745
2,313
2003
10,485
3,759
2004
14,761
5,180
2005
24,041
6,554
2006
29,365
6,983
2007
17,767
4,562
2008
8,601
1,781
2009
3,506
847
Culture and Food
Chicago's cultural scene is diverse, robust, and influenced by its immigrant history. Its food, music, and art are recognized worldwide, and the city hosts various fests and events year-round. San Antonio's culture is a blend of Mexican and Texan influences, offering unique dining experiences and hosting several cultural events like the famous Fiesta San Antonio.
Sports Teams
Chicago is a sports city, home to teams like the Bulls (NBA), Bears (NFL), Blackhawks (NHL), White Sox, and Cubs (MLB). San Antonio has fewer professional sports teams but is extremely passionate about their NBA team, the Spurs.
Chicago, IL
San Antonio, TX
