Why Invest in San Antonio Real Estate?
San Antonio is the second largest city (behind Houston) in the Lone Star state of Texas. With an estimated population of 1.32 million, San Antonio is ranked as the #7 most populous cities in the United States. Plus, last year the US Census Bureau listed it as the second fastest-growing city in the nation, after Phoenix, Arizona. The job market, family-friendly neighborhoods, good school systems, and affordability of San Antonio has led many to call the south central Texas city home.
San Antonio’s top industries for jobs are healthcare, bioscience, aerospace, IT/cybersecurity, new energy economy (government-run CPS Energy strives to find solutions for low or non-carbon emitting energy sources), and military (one of the city’s nicknames is Military City, USA. San Antonio is also headquarters for large companies such as Rackspace, Valero Energy, and USAA.
The state of Texas does not collect property or income taxes, but cities can do so. San Antonio’s property tax rate is $0.55 per hundred dollars, and the city government claims it is committed to keeping rates low; it was among only a few cities to lower property taxes in 2009. San Antonio is the only city with more than 1 million people in the US to receive a AAA bond rating from the major rating agencies (Standard & Poor, Moody’s, Fitch). The high rating gives the city the big advantage of lower interest rates, which in turn frees up money to spend on capital improvements.
Market Highlights
- Ranked #2 fastest-growing city in the nation, adding 20,824 residents (US Census Bureau, 2018–2019)
- Median home value is $184,384, which is lower than the state average of $207,301 and the national average of $243,225 (Zillow)
- The median home value has increased by 5.6% over the past year
- Promise Zone initiatives by the federal government created free job training certificate programs for 106 San Antonio residents
- The median household income is more than $46,000, compared to the national average of $61,372
Northwest San Antonio
Northwest is a quieter suburban neighborhood in Bexar County; it’s ranked the #2 best place to buy a house in the city by Niche, boasting award-winning schools as well as many parks and amenities. Homes here are priced on average around $146,000. Monte Vista is a family-friendly area with many biking and hiking trails; the median home value there is $361,000. Shavano Park offers residents a more rural feel while still being in close proximity to many amenities; homes average $620,000 in this popular neighborhood.
Other popular family-friendly neighborhoods include Alamo Ranch is the largest planned community in the city, while Olmos Park offers a small community feel for its affluent homeowners (it’s reportedly home to billionaires Red McCombs, Rodney Lewis, and Randall Stephenson). The average home price in Olmos Park is around $700,000, but many homes list for upward of $4–$5 million. Stone Oak is another master-planned community within the Timberwood Park area.
- SeaWorld San Antonio in Westover Hills District
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas in La Cantera
- La Cantera Resort & Spa - Voted #1 Resort in Texas and the Southwest by Conde Nast Traveller
Northeast San Antonio
Terrell Hills, about five miles northeast of downtown, is arguably the most popular neighborhood in San Antonio. Home values average over $485,000 in this suburban area with great schools and about 10,000 residents. Located five miles from central San Antonio, Alamo Heights is an affluent neighborhood with a median home value of $545,000. Pearl, SoBro (South Broadway), and Broadway Cultural Corridor are great sight-seeing areas with lots of activities for individuals and families. Cibolo in Guadalupe County is a popular option for Alamo City commuters who want to save money on housing; homes here average $214,000.
- Morgan’s Wonderland - $34-million, 25-acre nonprofit accessible theme park (the first of its kind in the US)
- San Antonio Zoo
- The Witte Museum - featuring large dinosaur and natural history exhibits</li.
- San Antonio Botanical Gardens - 33 acres of lush gardens and pathways
- Randolph Air Force Base in Universal City - close proximity to Northeast San Antonio
Southwest San Antonio
San Antonio’s Downtown has a popular arts district called Southtown, filled with lofts, flats, and apartments, as well as King William District, which features historical architecture. Homes in the Downtown area average around $146,000, and the majority of residents are renters.
- The Alamo - learn about the Battle of the Alamo (1836) with free admission
- San Antonio Museum of Art
- The River Walk along the San Antonio River
- Majestic Theatre - historical landmark built in 1929; oldest and largest theatre with 2,000 seats
Southeast San Antonio
East Side is a residential neighborhood that is a focal point for the city’s revitalization projects to make the area into a mixed-use neighborhood with many amenities. Southeast Side is also going through revitalization efforts by the local government, and residents of the area are benefiting greatly, with more parks, retail, and affordable housing.
- San Antonio Missions National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site, four of five San Antonio Spanish frontier missions
- Sunset Station - a historic venue that hosts weddings and other corporate and social events
- AT&T Center - home of the San Antonio Spurs and San Antonio Rampage sports teams
- Freeman Coliseum - sports and concert venue; hosts San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
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