San Antonio’s rapid expansion has drawn new residents, yet the city’s poverty rate stays stubbornly high at 17%—the third‑worst among the nation’s largest metros. Recent census data shows that, despite a surge in jobs, low wages and limited access to education keep many families near the poverty line.

The city’s economy remains anchored in lower‑wage service work, with few high‑paying opportunities. Newcomers cite affordability, noting that a $300,000 home that would be unaffordable in Austin is reachable in San Antonio. However, long‑standing redlining and housing discrimination have kept many neighborhoods, especially on the west side, trapped in poverty.

Local leaders, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, are pushing for aggressive outreach to tech firms and expanded affordable housing. Yet former mayors say progress has been slow, and residents like Olivia Cruz and Kayla Miranda point to the continued lack of wealth‑building pathways.

These dynamics highlight a growing disconnect between headline growth and on‑the‑ground economic mobility, underscoring the need for targeted policy to translate expansion into tangible gains for the city’s poorest residents.