San Antonio, Texas, is full of cultural flare and great diversity. Residents and tourists alike flock to this city — one of the largest in the country — to check out famous sights like the Alamo and the River Walk. Combine these attractions with great food, the San Antonio Spurs and the world’s tallest cowboy boot sculpture, it’s easy to see what makes San Antonio so popular. However, not everyone is ready to commit to living in a city of more than 1 million people. For those looking to relocate for a quieter life without sacrificing the joys of San Antonio, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best suburbs of the city.
10. Live Oak
- Population: 15,908
- Median Home Value: $141,200
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 24.5 minutes
- School Ranking: B
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 505
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 42
Live Oak is located approximately 19 miles northeast of San Antonio. This Bexar County town has grown from farmland to a bustling but peaceful residential community. With plenty of parks, athletic fields and shopping centers available, Live Oak has no shortage of activities to enjoy. With the main shopping hub located off I-35, all of your favorite places are easily accessible. Take a look at the homes available today!
9. Universal City
- Population: 20,773
- Median Home Value: $166,000
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
- School Ranking: B
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 546
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 63
Adjacent to Live Oak is the next suburb on our list: Universal City. With Randolph Air Force Base located close by, Universal City is a hotspot for military families. And there are plenty of family attractions here, including the Rush Fun Park, an indoor amusement park with attractions ranging from trampolines, obstacle courses and dodgeball. Plus, Universal City is home to the Alamo City All-Stars Sportsplex, which is the largest, privately owned sports complex in the San Antonio area.
Many homes await you in Universal City today!
8. Leon Valley
- Population: 11,485
- Median Home Value: $160,100
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 24.5 minutes
- School Ranking: B+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 489
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 34
Located northwest of San Antonio, Leon Valley has all the amenities and activities of a larger town without the big-city bustle. Days can be spent at the San Antonio Aquarium or stepping back in time at the Huebner-Onion Homestead, which is rumored to be haunted. With plenty of builders and houses to choose from, you’re bound to find the house of your dreams in Leon Valley.
7. Selma
- Population: 11,075
- Median Home Value: $173,900
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 24.3 minutes
- School Ranking: B+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 240
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 24
Selma is located 20 miles northeast of San Antonio, just past Live Oak. As the home of Retama Park, which features horse racing from June through November, Selma is truly a suburb for horse lovers. With other parks and a lake nearby, many days of fun in the Texas sun await you! Browse the selection of new houses available today.
6. New Braunfels
- Population: 84,612
- Median Home Value: $199,700
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 24.6 minutes
- School Ranking: B+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,197
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 241
New Braunfels is the largest suburb on our list, with nearly 85,000 residents calling it home. There’s a lot to love here, including catching a performance at the historic Gruene Hall, taking your children to McKenna Children’s Museum or visiting animals at Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo — and these are only a small sample of the area’s activities! With so much to see and do, it’s easy to see why so many choose to live here. Your new home in New Braunfels awaits you!
5. Canyon Lake
- Population: 21,262
- Median Home Value: $236,400
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 37.5 minutes
- School Ranking: A-
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 224
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 23
The town of Canyon Lake is located in Comal County, approximately an hour north of San Antonio. As you would expect, the top highlight of this suburb is the famous Canyon Lake itself! Between boating, hiking, swimming and picnicking at the lake, there’s something to do every weekend. Beyond the lake, the town is known for its good school system and low crime rates. Check out the communities and homes available in Canyon Lake!
4. Schertz
- Population: 41,057
- Median Home Value: $196,500
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 27.7 minutes
- School Ranking: A-
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 670
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 95
Schertz is an expanding city northeast of San Antonio, near Universal City and Selma. This suburb is big on community, evident in the multiple events it hosts each year, from outdoor movies in the summer to the Holidazzle in winter. Another community highlight is Bussey’s Flea Market, which is one of Texas’ largest flea markets, hosting up to 500 vendors every weekend. With 14 homebuilders working in the community, your new home is just around the corner.
3. Timberwood Park
- Population: 13,447
- Median Home Value: $318,900
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 32.9 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,023
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 178
Timberwood Park is a small suburb located approximately 30 miles north of San Antonio. The neighborhoods here are the stuff of dreams: beautiful Hill Country views and plenty of land to hike, bike and explore. Additionally, students of Timberwood Park attend Comal Independent School District, which is one of the top-performing districts in the area. What’s not to love?
2. Boerne
- Population: 17,106
- Median Home Value: $259,600
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 29.6 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 341
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 27
Boerne is a bit of a drive from San Antonio (approximately 33 miles), but this suburb is worth it! With a low crime rate, high performing school district and tons of great restaurants and shopping centers, Boerne is the place to be. If you need a break from retail, take a walk through the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm, where you can hike and see all kinds of wildlife. Browse the homes waiting for you in Boerne!
1. Cibolo
- Population: 30,563
- Median Home Value: $222,800
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 29 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 271
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 37
At the top of our list is Cibolo! Located 25 miles northeast of San Antonio, Cibolo has it all: a historical downtown, popular farmer’s market and beautiful parks. The low crime rates mean residents can visit restaurants and nearby wineries with peace of mind. Students attend Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District, which has high marks in academics and sports, so you know your students are receiving a great education.
Ready to move to the best suburb in San Antonio? View the home listings in Cibolo today!
Additional Suburbs
Suburb | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank | Property Crimes | Violent Crimes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seguin | 29,700 | $124,000 | 19.8 minutes | B- | 745 | 88 |
Converse | 27,742 | $156,700 | 25.5 minutes | B- | 482 | 172 |
Pleasanton | 10,754 | $151,000 | 24.7 minutes | C+ | 406 | 30 |
Remember the Alamo
Whether you’re looking to relocate to San Antonio or move to one of its suburbs, you will be choosing one of the most well-known, diverse cities in the country. San Antonio’s suburbs have all the amenities and flavor of the big city itself, all within a reasonable drive. With such great options both in and out of the city, you’re bound to find a new home and community to love!
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.