Why People Are Choosing San Antonio: A Look at the Relocation Numbers

Relocation is one of the most common reasons someone starts a home search here. But "people are moving to Texas" is a headline, not a plan. Here's what the migration data actually shows about San Antonio, and the practical details that tend to catch relocating buyers off guard.

The Numbers

U.S. Census Bureau estimates showed San Antonio adding roughly 23,900 residents between 2023 and 2024, making it the fourth fastest-growing city in the country by numeric population gain. Zooming out further:

• The San Antonio–New Braunfels metro added close to 205,000 people between April 2020 and July 2024, with roughly 59% of that growth coming from domestic migration rather than births
• 2026 estimates place the city around 1,570,314 residents after a 1.46% annual increase — enough to pass Philadelphia in the national rankings for the first time
• U-Haul named Texas its top growth state for 2025, with inbound customers accounting for 50.7% of one-way traffic in and out of the state

That domestic-migration share is the number worth sitting with. Most of this growth is people deciding to come, not demographics compounding on their own.

What Is Drawing Them

Three things come up repeatedly in relocation conversations.

No state income tax. For households arriving from states that levy one, this changes the take-home math immediately — though it is partly offset by property taxes, which we'll get to.

The price gap. A housing budget that buys modestly in coastal metros, Denver, or even Austin generally reaches considerably further here. This is the single most cited driver among out-of-state buyers.

A diversified employment base. Military and federal employment anchored by Joint Base San Antonio, a large healthcare sector centered on the South Texas Medical Center, financial services, a growing cybersecurity cluster around Port San Antonio, tourism, and higher education — no single sector dominates. Unemployment has held in the 3.8–4.1% range through 2025 and into early 2026. That spread tends to mean less exposure to any one industry's downturn than more concentrated metros carry.

What Relocation Buyers Underestimate

Property taxes. Rates generally run between roughly 1.9% and 2.1% depending on whether a property sits in Bexar, Comal, or Guadalupe County. Buyers arriving from income-tax states are often surprised by the monthly escrow figure. Run the full payment, not the purchase price.

The metro crosses county lines. Bexar, Comal, Kendall, and Guadalupe counties each carry different tax rates, utility providers, and municipal boundaries. Two homes fifteen minutes apart can have meaningfully different carrying costs.

Rural and acreage properties come with systems. Well, septic, propane, and private road maintenance agreements are common outside city services — all worth inspecting and budgeting for specifically.

Summer. It is a real adjustment, and it affects everything from utility bills to how outdoor space actually gets used.

How a Relocation Search Usually Runs

Most out-of-state buyers work in two phases: video walkthroughs to narrow the field remotely, then one or two concentrated scouting trips to see finalists in person and get a feel for the drive times that matter to them. Lender pre-approval before the first trip is worth the effort — it means a strong offer can be written the same week rather than after a second flight. Offer strategy also shifts when you cannot casually revisit a property, which usually means building more room into inspection and option periods rather than less.

The Honest Caveats

Population estimates vary by source and methodology, and city-limit figures differ substantially from metro figures — compare like to like before drawing conclusions. Growth has not been uniform across the region, and conditions differ corridor by corridor. And none of this data predicts where prices go next; it describes what has already happened.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Population and employment figures reflect published estimates that are subject to revision. Property tax rates vary by taxing jurisdiction and change annually — verify current rates for any specific property. Consult qualified professionals regarding your situation. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.