Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas. Using Texas's 1.8% property tax rate and $3,800/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Fort Worth
San Antonio
Median Home Price
$315K
$275K
Population
958,692
1,434,625
Average Rent
$1,420/mo
$1,280/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$1,792/mo
$1,564/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$473/mo
$413/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$317/mo
$317/mo
Est. Total PITI
$2,699/mo
$2,397/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5
17.9
Verdict
San Antonio edges out Fort Worth in affordability, saving you roughly $302/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Texas, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Texas's 1.8% property tax rate.
Fort Worth
Home Price$315,000
Down Payment (10%)$31,500
Loan Amount$283,500
Monthly P&I$1,792
Monthly Property Tax$473
Monthly Insurance$317
Monthly PMI$118
Total PITI$2,699/mo
Annual property tax: $5,670
San Antonio
Home Price$275,000
Down Payment (10%)$27,500
Loan Amount$247,500
Monthly P&I$1,564
Monthly Property Tax$413
Monthly Insurance$317
Monthly PMI$103
Total PITI$2,397/mo
Annual property tax: $4,950
Buying in San Antonio saves you approximately $302/month ($3,624/year) compared to Fort Worth, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
San Antonio is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $275K versus $315K in Fort Worth. That's $40K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $10K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in San Antonio, compared to $11K in Fort Worth. Texas offers the TDHCA My First Texas Home program (Up to 5% DPA grant) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
San Antonio has the better price-to-rent ratio at 17.9x versus 18.5x in Fort Worth. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in San Antonio is $1,280/month on a $275K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
San Antonio (pop. 1,434,625) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Fort Worth (pop. 958,692) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. San Antonio offers both more options and lower housing costs, making it attractive for families who want urban amenities without a premium price.