San Antonio, Texas, and Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee, present two contrasting lifestyles within Southeast United States. While San Antonio offers a vibrant mix of Texan culture & history, and Southwestern charm, Nashville-Davidson is the heart of the country music scene, offering a vibrant arts culture and a robust economy. However, each city features distinct strengths and challenges that affect their safety, climate, living cost, education, job opportunities, infrastructure, industry structure, real estate, neighborhoods, transport, tax regime, food culture, sports facilities, geography, and healthcare systems. The following comparison will delve into these parameters and offer insights for potential relocators and visitors.
Distance between
San Antonio, TX and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 823.7 miles
San Antonio's population is larger by 114%. Its population has grown by 307,207 people (26.8%) since 2000. The population of Nashville-Davidson has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) during that time.
Both cities face challenges regarding crime rates. Nashville-Davidson has a higher crime rate than San Antonio, with property crimes being common. Sanchez does have a high crime rate but it has been decreasing over the past years thanks to new measures taken by the local government.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Antonio is generally lower compared to Nashville-Davidson. Housing, grocery, and healthcare costs are significantly lower in San Antonio, making it a more affordable place to live.
Income Tax
Texas, including San Antonio, does not impose an individual income tax. Meanwhile, Tennessee also abolished its income tax, hence no worries for Nashville-Davidson residents.
Property Tax
San Antonio imposes a relatively high property tax rate, whereas Nashville-Davidson homeowners face considerably lower property tax rates.
Sales Tax
San Antonio as part of Texas, doesn't have a state income tax but features an 8.25% sales tax. In contrast, Nashville-Davidson levies a combined 6% state tax, with a 2.25% local sales tax.
Income
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$54,923
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$28,860
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
87.7
90.9
If you make $50,000 in San Antonio, you will have to make $51,824 in Nashville-Davidson to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Antonio is located in the south-central part of Texas, with relatively flat terrain. Nashville-Davidson, on the other hand, is located on the Cumberland River, with more hills and generally diverse geography.
Nashville-Davidson boasts a number of highly-regarded institutes such as Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University. On the other hand, San Antonio is home to a range of higher-education institutions including the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Nashville-Davidson offers a robust economy with strong growth in health care, entertainment, and transport sectors. In contrast, San Antonio's economy is majorly driven by military, healthcare, tourism, and finance sectors.
Biggest Employers
The biggest employers in Nashville-Davidson include Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA Healthcare. In San Antonio, the major employers are USAA, Valero Energy, and H-E-B.
There were 6,567 building permits issued in San Antonio in 2012 (4973 more than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In San Antonio (Bexar County), 51.6% voted for Democrats and 47.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
2020
58.3%
65.0%
40.1%
32.6%
1.5%
2.3%
2016
54.2%
60.1%
40.8%
34.1%
5.0%
5.7%
2012
51.6%
58.5%
47.1%
39.9%
1.4%
1.6%
2008
52.3%
60.0%
46.7%
39.0%
1.0%
1.0%
2004
44.5%
54.9%
55.0%
44.6%
0.6%
0.4%
2000
44.9%
57.9%
52.3%
40.4%
2.7%
1.7%
1996
49.7%
79.3%
44.6%
18.1%
5.7%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.8%
4.9%
8.6%
2.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
6.8%
14.1%
23.5%
19.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.8%
0.8%
1.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.3%
1.0%
0.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.6%
1.5%
1.6%
1.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.2%
2.2%
0.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
1.1%
1.3%
1.7%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.8%
0.3%
0.9%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.1%
0.5%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.2%
1.3%
Weather
San Antonio has a hot semi-arid climate, with hot summers and mild winters. There's less rainfall compared to Nashville-Davidson, with occasional downpours. Nashville-Davidson, on the other hand, experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. It has more rainfall throughout the year, but also brings more seasonal variety.
Weather and climate
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
68.7°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.9%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
37%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
32.2 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.2 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.5%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
62.4%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
42%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in San Antonio, Texas
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
2018
83
71
N/A
0.40
4.9
13.8
25.6
24.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.2
8.0
9.2
0.2
0.2
2017
85
70
N/A
0.38
5.1
14.4
26.9
26.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
8.4
8.7
1.7
0.1
2016
79
90
N/A
0.42
5.2
16.1
25.7
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
10.1
0.8
0.0
2015
76
68
N/A
0.43
4.7
15.5
25.4
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
10.8
0.7
0.1
2014
84
66
N/A
N/A
5.5
N/A
27.3
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.5
9.8
0.6
1.4
2013
79
62
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
28.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.0
9.7
0.7
N/A
2012
77
81
N/A
N/A
4.5
N/A
27.5
28.3
N/A
N/A
18.1
N/A
9.2
11.0
N/A
2.3
2011
85
81
N/A
N/A
4.6
N/A
29.2
25.9
N/A
N/A
18.9
N/A
9.9
11.0
N/A
1.7
2010
75
80
0.21
N/A
7.2
N/A
25.8
24.3
N/A
N/A
17.1
N/A
9.2
12.2
N/A
2.2
2009
74
72
0.23
N/A
8.3
N/A
25.7
22.5
N/A
N/A
19.5
N/A
9.8
11.5
0.4
2.4
2008
84
81
0.26
N/A
9.3
N/A
26.8
25.7
N/A
N/A
19.8
N/A
10.1
13.4
0.5
2.5
2007
83
99
0.49
N/A
9.3
N/A
26.3
27.4
N/A
N/A
23.4
N/A
10.3
15.5
N/A
2.7
2006
86
93
0.51
0.69
9.7
N/A
32.7
24.9
N/A
N/A
24.8
N/A
9.8
14.9
N/A
2.9
2005
86
104
0.53
0.56
10.7
N/A
30.8
23.5
N/A
N/A
22.3
N/A
10.1
16.9
N/A
3.1
2004
76
83
0.48
0.61
10.4
N/A
29.6
22.0
0.006
N/A
22.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.6
2003
77
93
0.57
0.67
10.3
N/A
28.5
18.5
0.005
N/A
26.7
N/A
N/A
15.8
N/A
3.8
2002
88
92
0.52
0.67
11.2
N/A
30.3
20.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
4.3
2001
78
95
0.57
0.89
11.9
N/A
29.3
19.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
N/A
4.5
2000
82
97
0.52
0.74
11.7
N/A
29.6
19.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
91.5%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
73.7%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
17%
Transportation
Both cities boast expansion in their public transportation systems. However, Nashville-Davidson's public transit is generally more extensive and reliable than San Antonio's.
Transport
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
987
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
29
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.2%
0.3%
Bus
1.6%
1.2%
Carpooled
12.9%
9.8%
Car alone
81.9%
85.5%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.6%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Average
27 min
31.3 min
Other means
23.4 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
84.6%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
10.4%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
3.3%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
1%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.6%
0.5%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in San Antonio is relatively more affordable than Nashville-Davidson. Nashville-Davidson's housing market has grown in recent years, but so have prices which are now higher on average than San Antonio's.
Neighborhoods
San Antonio offers a mix of vibrant city neighborhoods and peaceful suburban areas. Nashville-Davidson is composed of several distinctive neighborhoods, each offering its own unique charm.
Houses and residents
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
603,670
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.3
Median year apartment built
1987
1986
Median year house/condo built
1981
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.3 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
549,245 (91%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
290,123 (52.8%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
259,122 (47.2%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,143
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$1,101
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$189,213
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$197,600
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
5.1
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$238,319
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$407,491
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$120,363
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$163,867
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$105,850
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$188,542
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$234,615
$412,434
Median house age
37
35
Renting percentage
43.5%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,481.2
699.9
House value disparities
33.6%
31%
Household income disparities
44.7%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$87,382
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$60,785
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
5,815 (3.5%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,350 (3.8%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
160,674 (96.5%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
129 (0.1%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
7,761 (4.7%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
13
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.1%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.3%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
60.4%
50.9%
One, attached
2.7%
8.4%
Two
2.2%
3.3%
3 or 4
4.9%
3.1%
5 to 9
7.8%
7.1%
10 to 19
8.5%
8.7%
20 to 49
5.4%
5.3%
50 or more
6.6%
11.9%
Mobile homes
1.5%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
46,328
31,952
State government workers
29,486
15,693
Unpaid family workers
657
463
Industries and Occupations
Nashville-Davidson is known for its music industry, and healthcare. San Antonio has diverse job sectors ranging from military and defense, healthcare, tourism, to finance and insurance.
San Antonio is known for its massive healthcare industry with many hospitals and research institutions. Nashville-Davidson flourishes with numerous hospitals, spearheaded by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, offering comprehensive healthcare facilities.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Antonio demonstrates strong infrastructure with impressive developments in downtown areas, while Nashville-Davidson’s infrastructure has seen rapid growth and development over the past few years, particularly within the downtown area.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Antonio
Nashville-Davidson
1999
6,847
2,397
2000
2,930
1,451
2001
2,383
1,130
2002
2,313
1,075
2003
3,759
2,231
2004
5,180
2,731
2005
6,554
3,231
2006
6,983
3,720
2007
4,562
2,419
2008
1,781
952
2009
847
532
Culture and Food
San Antonio's culture combines Texan, Mexican, and Southwestern influences, reflected in its food scene featuring Tex-Mex cuisine. Nashville-Davidson is rich in music and arts culture, with a food scene dominated by southern cuisine.
Sports Teams
San Antonio boasts the Spurs, a reputed NBA team. Conversely, Nashville-Davidson hosts the Titans (NFL) and Predators (NHL), offering a lively sports scene to residents and visitors alike.
San Antonio, TX and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 823.7 miles
