Short answer: In San Antonio, TX, the median home value is $260,900 and the median 3-bedroom rents for $1,707/mo (Census ACS 2024). That's a rent-to-price ratio of 0.65%, so it misses the 1% rule and ranks #4 of the 50 largest US rental markets. With 20% down at 7.40%, FirstDoor scores a median-priced home Pass (−$575/mo cash flow).
Key numbers
The 1% rule in San Antonio
A quick screen many investors start with: is monthly rent at least 1% of the price? In San Antonio, here's the answer on typical numbers.
Across all rentals (not just 3-bedrooms) the ratio is 0.53%. A home renting for the median 3-bedroom rent would need to cost about $171,000 or less to pass.
A typical San Antonio home, scored
We took a home at the median value, gave it the median 3-bedroom rent, and ran it through the same math as the FirstDoor calculator: 20% down, a 30-year loan at 7.40%, the city's median tax rate, and standard expense budgets.
| 3-bedroom rent (median) | $1,707 |
| Property tax ($4,026/yr, local median) | −$336 |
| Insurance ($1,300/yr, assumed) | −$108 |
| Vacancy 10% · Maintenance 5% · Management 8% | −$393 |
| Net operating income | $871 |
| Mortgage (P&I on $208,720 at 7.40%) | −$1,445 |
| Monthly cash flow | −$575 |
What price works in San Antonio?
Same rent, different prices. Here's the most you could pay in San Antonio for each result, keeping the median 3-bedroom rent and local tax rate.
Takeaways
- At 0.65%, San Antonio is near the top of the list (#4 of 50) but still short of 1%. Deals here can work if you buy below the median.
- A median-priced home here would cost you about $575/mo out of pocket after the mortgage and every expense. To break even you'd need to pay about $180,000, 31% below the median.
- Rents are outrunning prices: the median 3-bedroom rent rose 7.7% from 2023 to 2024 while values rose 4.4%. That slowly improves the math for buyers.
- Rental vacancy is high at 10.2% (US: 5.7%), so we budgeted 10% vacancy instead of 5%. Price in a longer wait for tenants.
- Property taxes are heavy: the median bill is $4,026, about 1.54% of value versus 0.89% nationally. Confirm the bill after purchase, since it can reset.
Frequently asked questions
Does San Antonio pass the 1% rule?
No, on typical numbers. The median 3-bedroom gross rent is $1,707/mo and the median home value is $260,900 (Census ACS 2024 1-year), a ratio of 0.65%. To pass at that rent, a home would need to cost about $171,000 or less.
What is the typical rent for a 3-bedroom in San Antonio?
The median gross rent for a 3-bedroom in San Antonio, TX is $1,707 a month, and $1,389 across all rentals (Census ACS 2024 1-year). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays, so the landlord's share can be a bit lower. The 3-bedroom median rose 7.7% from 2023.
Can you cash flow a rental in San Antonio?
At the median price, not easily. With 20% down at 7.40% and realistic expenses, a $260,900 home renting for $1,707 loses about $575/mo. It breaks even at roughly $180,000.
How much cash do you need to buy a typical rental in San Antonio?
About $59,980: a 20% down payment of $52,180 plus closing costs we assume at 3% ($7,800). Lenders often also want several months of reserves. Investment loans commonly need 15–25% down.
Is San Antonio a good place to buy a first rental?
FirstDoor scores a median-priced home in San Antonio as Pass (0 of 8 points). That's a starting point, not a verdict on every listing: neighborhoods vary, and buying below the median changes the math. Run any listing through the free calculator.
Compare similar markets
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Sources
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates (released September 2025); year-over-year changes compare with 2023. Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026. Insurance ($1,300/yr), closing costs (3%), maintenance (5%) and management (8%) are FirstDoor assumptions, not local data. Investment-property loans often price above the PMMS average. Medians describe the whole city, not any one home. Educational content, not financial advice.