If you want to be in the metro area but not downtown, there are many towns around San Antonio that you can explore. San Antonio sits in south central Texas and is the county seat of Bexar County. Austin is just 75 miles to the northeast, and the Mexico-United States border is about 150 miles southwest. The city features gently rolling terrain, forests, mesquite, and cacti. With a population of 1,434,625, San Antonio is the seventh-most populous city in the United States and the second-most populous in Texas after Houston. The San Antonio Metro Area is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest in the United States, with 2.6 million people, so there are many towns close to San Antonio from which people can commute.
San Antonio is famous for the Alamo, and its downtown Riverwalk. Downtown San Antonio is known for its vibrant life, shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Fiesta San Antonio, the Luminaria contemporary arts festival, and Fiesta Noche del Rio are a few of the popular events in the city.
Major companies headquartered in the cities near San Antonio include Security Service Federal Credit Union, Visionworks of America, Kinetic Concepts, Pabst Brewing Company, Globalscape, and Whataburger. Hulu, Capital Group, Marathon Petroleum, Toyota, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, and Citi Bank also have a major presence in the city.
More than 100,000 students attend school in San Antonio’s 31 higher-education institutions. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, and Alamo Community College District are just a few of the publicly supported colleges in the city. Private schools include Trinity University, St. Mary’s University, and the Southwest School of Art. San Antonio has 19 independent school districts within the Bexar County and Greater San Antonio metro area. San Antonio offers a variety of amenities, attractions, and opportunities, including employment, cultural events, shopping centers, dining options, and entertainment venues.
The only major professional sports team is the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio is also home to the Double-A San Antonio Missions.
San Antonio International Airport is located about 8 miles north of downtown. It averages 260 daily departures and arrivals with 14 airlines flying non-stop to 53 destinations in the US and Mexico. The airport is the sixth busiest in Texas.
San Antonio is known as the Alamo City and the River City. Top cultural and entertainment sites include San Fernando Cathedral, SeaWorld San Antonio, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Aquatica San Antonio. The NcNay Art Museum, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden are some of the top notch museums in San Antonio.
For outdoor lovers, the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System spans over 82 miles with more than 50 trailheads.
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts hosts concerts, dance, theater, comedy, and much more. At the Majestic Theatre, San Pedro Playhouse, and Lila Cockrell Theatre you can enjoy plays, symphonies, ballets, and other performing arts.
Notable people from Austin include actors Carol Burnett, Joan Crawford, and Tommy Lee Jones, Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, Grammy Award-winning country music artist George Strait, and author Rick Riordan.
While the cost of living in San Antonio may not be for everyone, many of the metro’s suburbs and San Antonio neighborhoods are extremely affordable. If you’re looking for towns around San Antonio TX, we have our full guide for you with everything you need to know. Please note we’re only talking about incorporated cities rather than CDPs near San Antonio!
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Largest Cities Near San Antonio, TX
There are 5 cities within 35 miles of San Antonio, TX that have a population of 25,000 people or more. Each city offers outdoor activities, recreation, and interesting things to see and do. Here are the largest and closest cities to San Antonio, TX, listed from largest to smallest.
New Braunfels, TX – 32 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 90,403
- County – Comal and Guadalupe
New Braunfels was the third-fastest-growing city in the United States from 2010 to 2020. The largest employer in the city is the Comal Independent School District, employing 3,105 people. Other major employers in the city are Schlitterbahn, a Walmart Distribution Center, and TaskUs. The New Braunfels Independent School District is B-rated with good schools. Wurstfest is held every November, showcasing New Braunfels’ strong German heritage.
Popular outdoor activities include tubing down the Guadalupe and Comal rivers, water activities, and parkland for outdoor recreation. Buc-ee’s gas station is also here and recognized as the largest gas station in the world. The Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture, McKenna Children’s Museum, and the Alamo Classic Car Museum are popular cultural sites.
The Gruene Historic District is a notable attraction in New Braunfels, known for its German heritage and historical significance.
Schertz, TX – 19 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 41,057
- County – Guadalupe, Bexar, and Comal
Schertz is the third-largest city in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and distinct charm, Schertz offers a stark contrast to the amenities and bustle of a big city like San Antonio. An award-winning city, Shertz’s accolades include the #1 Best Place to Live in Texas in 2007, CNNMoney.com’s top 40 Best Places to Live in the US in 2009 and 2013, and was on Safewise’s top 50 safest cities in Texas in 2015 and 2018.
Schertz’s amenities and attractions are conveniently located adjacent to the city center, making it an ideal place for both relaxation and access to various activities.
Schertz hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Wilenchik Walk for Life, Absolute Jazz, and the Schertz Sweetheart Pageant. The city is served by five different school districts. Several movies have been shot on location in Schertz, including The Ace in the Hole and the Indie film Klay World: Off The Table. Find out more about living in Schertz in our complete guide.
Cibolo, TX – 25 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 32,276
- County – Guadalupe and Bexar
Cibolo is one of the fastest-growing small cities in San Antonio. The population has grown almost 900% since 2000. Cibolo is known for its country-style way of life. The city is served by The Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District, a Texas B-rated school system. Nearby Randolph Air Force Base is a major pilot training facility for the United States Air Force.
The City of Cibolo Parks and Recreation Division maintains about 200 acres of parkland, operating four city parks. Park amenities include basketball courts, pavilions, and playgrounds, as well as baseball, soccer, and football fields, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the top events in Cibolo are CiboloFest, Cibolo Summer Nights, and Downtown Market Days.
Cibolo is also attractive to military families due to its proximity to Randolph Air Force Base. Find out everything you need to know about moving to Cibolo in our guide!
Seguin, TX – 35 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 29,433
- County – Guadalupe
Seguin is one of the oldest towns in Texas, founded in 1836. This demographically diverse city close to San Antonio is over 50% Hispanic or Latino. The Guadalupe Regional Medical Center is the major employer in Seguin, with 750 employees supporting 65 physician specialists. The Seguin Independent School District enrolls about 8,000 students in 14 schools that meet Texas Education Agency standards. Texas Lutheran University, with about 1,400 students, is located in Seguin.
City attractions include ZDT’s Amusement Park, The Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center, and the Fiedler Museum. Seguin has several excellent parks, including Park West, a 47-acre community park featuring athletic fields, a skatepark, a playscape, a basketball court, a splash pad, a group pavilion, picnic shelters, and nature trails. Additionally, Seguin offers various entertainment venues, making it a vibrant place to enjoy cultural events and local attractions.
Converse, TX – 15 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 27,742
- County – Bexar
Converse is a family-friendly small city with a thriving business district and a diverse population. Its many parks and recreational areas are great for outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy. Converse hosts several fun annual events, such as the Converse Autumn Festival and the Converse Christmas Festival. The city boasts several top schools for education and athletics. The wide variety of ethnic restaurants in town is a testament to its rich cultural diversity.
In 2017, the San Antonio City Council approved Converse’s proposed annexation of a 12-mile area territory near Randolph Air Force Base in northeastern Bexar County that will triple the size of Converse when the series of phased expansions are completed in 2033. Converse is also an excellent choice for those looking to relocate close to the San Antonio area.
Other Cities near San Antonio, TX
There are three cities within a 35-mile radius of San Antonio with a population between 15,000 and 20,000:
Universal City, TX – 15 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 19,720
- County – Bexar
As the closest city to San Antonio with over 10,000 residents, Universal City is a friendly city with a vibrant business district, a close-knit community feel, and lots of small-town charm. The low crime rate and low cost of living make it especially attractive. Universal City is served by three different school districts comprised of quality schools. Universal City operates ten parks, including the 32-acre Universal City Park, offering three softball/baseball fields, a half-mile walking/jogging path, a basketball court, three pickleball courts, a sand volleyball court, a football field, a disc golf course, and two playgrounds.
Northview Park features the 4,000-square-foot Northview Splash Pad. The Olympia Hills Event Center hosts fun activities such as Country Night, Community Casino Night, and Family Glow Dance. Residents can also easily access the famous River Walk in San Antonio, a key attraction in the area. If you need the nearest city to San Antonio for commuting or other reasons, this is it!
Boerne, TX – 35 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 17,850
- County – Kendall
Boerne is known for its long German-Texan history. The popular Hill Country Mile is a 1.1-mile showcase of Boerne’s rich cultural history. The Cibolo Center for Conservation consists of over 100 acres of trails and pristine wilderness in the Texas Hill Country, offering a variety of outdoor recreation activities such as bird watching, hiking, and nature exploration.
The Boerne Independent School District is an A-rated school district. Boerne High School and Boerne Champion High School were on Newsweek’s Top 500 High Schools in America in 2014. The district was awarded with the HEB’s Excellence in Education Award as the Best Small School District in Texas in 2020. While there are many towns near San Antonio, this one is a true gem.
Live Oak, TX – 16 miles from San Antonio
- Population – 15,781
- County – Bexar
Live Oak sprung out of a German community and is situated amid gently rolling hills in an area of rich farming and ranching. The small community has grown into a quiet residential area with shopping centers, major medical facilities, college campuses, and financial institutions. The population has grown significantly since 1970, when 2,779 people lived there, The City of Live Oak Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 100 acres of parkland, as well as a municipal swimming pool.
Popular parks include Main City Park and Lakeside Park. Park amenities include four baseball fields, a football field, a skate park, and two 18-hole disc golf courses. Some of the fun events the city hosts are EGGstravaganza, Junior Fishing, Halloween Family Night, Down Home Christmas, and Shin Oak!
Leon Valley, a nearby community located northwest of San Antonio, offers a small community atmosphere with access to the city’s entertainment venues.
Map of Cities Near San Antonio and Surrounding Area
Check out this map for the surrounding cities of San Antonio.
Small Cities & Towns Near San Antonio, TX
There are five cities around San Antonio with populations of 1,000 or fewer people within a 30-mile radius of San Antonio. San Antonio surrounding cities include the popular small town Alamo Heights, a small city near San Antonio, featuring a wide variety of architectural styles and is close to cultural institutions like the McNay Art Museum and the University of the Incarnate Word. However, if you’re looking for the nearest cities to San Antonio with that small town feeling with under 1,000 residents, check out the list below.
Cities Near San Antonio (1,000 or fewer population)
| County | Population (2020) | Distance from San Antonio | |
| Hill County Village | Bexar | 942 | 10 miles |
| Santa Clara | Guadalupe | 778 | 13 miles |
| New Berlin | Guadalupe | 699 | 27 miles |
| Grey Forest | Bexar | 492 | 25 miles |
| Spring Branch | Comal | 250 | 31 miles |
Major Cities Near San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is centrally located in south-central Texas, making it a great location for day trips to bordering counties. Cities close to San Antonio include Guadalupe, Comal, Kendall, Wilson, Atascosa, Medina, and Bandera. Austin is also only several hours or less from a weekend getaway in Austin, Houston, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, and Dallas.
Major Cities Near San Antonio, TX
| City | Population | Distance from San Antonio |
| Austin, TX | 974,447 | 74 miles |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 316,239 | 130 miles |
| Nuevo Laredo, Mex | 425,058 | 149 miles |
| Houston, TX | 2,303,000 | 189 miles |
| Reynosa, Mex | 691,557 | 233 miles |
| Fort Worth, TX | 956,709 | 241 miles |
| Dallas, TX | 1,303,000 | 252 miles |
| Guadalupe, Mex | 643,143 | 295 miles |
| Shreveport, LA | 180,153 | 399 miles |
| New Orleans, LA | 369,749 | 541 miles |
| El Paso, TX | 677,456 | 552 miles |
| Tulsa, OK | 411,867 | 558 miles |
| Little Rock, AR | 202,864 | 593 miles |
San Antonio, TX Area Cities FAQs
What Is the Closest City to San Antonio, TX?
The closest city to San Antonio, TX is Olmos Park, TX, 4.1 miles away.
What Major Cities Are Near San Antonio, TX?
The major cities around San Antonio are Austin, Corpus Christi, and Houston.
What Cities (or Towns) Are About One Hour from San Antonio, TX?
Pearsall, TX, Kyle, TX, Blanco, TX, Canyon Lake, TX, Luling, TX, Bandera, TX, and Karnes City, TX.
What Cities (or Towns) Are 25-30 Minutes From San Antonio, TX?
Santa Clara, TX, Muehlsville, TX, Dominion, TX, Lytle, TX, Schertz, TX, Universal City, TX, Converse, TX, and Calaveras, TX.
Are you looking up the top cities near San Antonio because you’re moving here? Our experienced San Antonio movers will help you get to where you need to go as quickly as possible! Give 2 College Brothers a call at 210-874-7010 or fill out our form to get a free quote!
