Live and Work: Best San Antonio Neighborhoods to Rent by Top Employers

Hello, I'm Rhonda, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio has always been a major part of my life. I'm glad to share my thoughts with you.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in San Antonio

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,066$450$2,529
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,200$299$4,375
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,574$295$10,000+
3 Bedroom Apartments$2,044$337$10,000+
4 Bedroom Apartments$2,038$737$3,357
5 Bedroom Apartments$5,433$869$10,000+

San Antonio has long been a major employer in Texas. Traditionally, military bases dominated the employment scene, but diversification into education, finance, and the service sectors has contributed to steady growth in the Lone Star State's second-largest city.

Currently, there are numerous Fortune 500 companies and iconic employers long associated with San Antonio.

Luckily, the River City landscape allows easy access to these large employers, fueling the development of some of the top neighborhoods to rent in San Antonio.

1 H-E-B

H-E-B is an iconic Texas grocery chain headquartered in Downtown San Antonio. Founded in 1905 in Kerrville, just outside of San Antonio, it boasts over 154,000 employees between its corporate offices. There are also over 435 stores in Texas and Mexico. HEB is a cornerstone of local life, widely respected for its community devotion and employee benefits.

Centrally located, there are a variety of San Antonio apartments to rent near its corporate headquarters.

Downtown San Antonio

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,310$450$2,075
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,587$662$3,595
2 Bedroom Apartments$2,571$529$10,000+
3 Bedroom Apartments$4,412$1,243$10,000+

Downtown San Antonio is the city's vibrant urban core that combines River Walk charm, historic markets, restaurants, multi-use green spaces, theaters, and a strong public transit system. Although renting in the downtown can be a little pricey, this area has been transformed into a walkable and culture-focused area.

Tobin Hill

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,298$450$2,000
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,809$675$4,375
2 Bedroom Apartments$3,050$564$5,158
3 Bedroom Apartments$4,382$1,800$8,195
4 Bedroom Apartments$2,400$2,400$2,400

Tobin Hill can be found just north of downtown San Antone. It is one of the oldest urban neighborhoods in the city. Dominated by the Pearl District, it is a mix of upscale boutiques, restaurants, and breweries. Many of the apartments to rent near the area are industrial chic and remodels of iconic buildings. Perfect for corporate professionals, Tobin Hill can be one of the more expensive areas in San Antonio to rent apartments.

Alamo Heights

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,335$745$2,529
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,426$700$3,348
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,920$895$10,000+
3 Bedroom Apartments$2,602$1,267$10,000+

Alamo Heights is a well-known, affluent San Antonio neighborhood. It is a refined, leafy area peppered with popular attractions such as the McNay Art Museum and the Japanese Tea Garden. Its highly-rated schools complement tree-lined streets. Mostly single-unit housing, the area has grown, with new chic apartment developments. Overall, Alamo Heights is a strong, walkable community, perfect for families.

Southtown

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,146$749$1,550
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,339$798$2,325
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,713$1,077$3,259
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,891$1,243$3,052

Southtown is a thriving, Bohemian arts district just south of downtown San Antonio. The area is electric; think galleries, murals, First Friday art walks, fusion food trucks, and a heartwarming sense of community. The upscale apartments and industrial lofts are a combination of remodels and recent construction.

Favored by young professionals, Southtown gives you walkability, culture, and easy access to H-E-B’s corporate home and flagship stores. But realistically, these offerings and convenience come at a higher cost. The rental properties in San Antonio's Southtown are noticeably higher than in other areas.

2 United Services Automobile Association (USAA)

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) employs roughly 38,000 people worldwide and serves over 14 million members. Approximately 17,000 work at its corporate headquarters on Fredreisburg Road, in San Antonio. It was founded in 1922 by 25 United States Army officers looking for fairly-priced auto insurance. Since then, USAA has transformed from a self-insurance group reserved for military officers into a trusted financial powerhouse. Because of its location, USAA is easily accessible by IH-10, Loop 410, and the outer 1604 Loop to numerous neighborhoods and apartment enclaves.

Stone Oak

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,168$999$1,631
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,362$854$3,164
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,739$1,084$3,739
3 Bedroom Apartments$2,246$1,389$3,315
4 Bedroom Apartments$3,072$2,850$3,295

Stone Oak is a modern, smartly designed suburban community roughly 15 miles from USAA. It is situated east of the north-south artery, Blanco Road, and just north of the outer 1604 Loop. Rated as dog-friendly, it is prized as a gated area with family-centric amenities and strong schools.

However, outside the core planned community, the Stone Oak neighborhood is home to traditional luxury apartment communities. The cost of these multifamily rentals rivals the highest prices in the metroplex.

Inwood

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,055$1,055$1,055
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,109$699$1,888
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,417$940$3,239
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,907$1,135$6,275

Officially, the community is known as The Village at Inwood, which spans the zip codes of 78248 and 78238. It is part of the Inner West Side and is located north of downtown San Antonio.

Inwood is less than 10 miles from USAA headquarters via Loop 1604 and IH-10. The area is prized by professionals and families for its peace and privacy. Luxurious homes frame a dog-friendly area. Inwood is part of the respected Northside Independent School District, and has a high private school attendance.

Apartments in Inwood range from the expensive to the more traditional apartment communities that easily compare to San Antonio rental costs.

Timberwood Park

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,087$943$1,359
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,353$923$3,310
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,765$1,282$3,143
3 Bedroom Apartments$2,294$1,389$3,315
4 Bedroom Apartments$2,337$1,813$3,295

Timberwood Park has been named by some as the #1 friendliest neighborhood in San Antonio. Located in the north central part of the city, the thriving pass-through community is 12 miles from USAA's McDermott Campus - a short 20-minute drive (traffic willing). This young community of roughly 35,000 residents is part of the Comal and North East Independent School Districts. Apartments in the area are affordable and dog-friendly. They are typically large traditional, multifamily properties with basic amenities, pools, weight rooms, and club areas.

Balcones Heights

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$805$629$1,456
1 Bedroom Apartments$956$650$1,865
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,331$599$2,300
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,733$1,219$2,740
4 Bedroom Apartments$1,961$1,635$2,295

Balcones Heights is just a quick drive along IH-10 from USAA’s sprawling Fredericksburg Road campus. Balcones Heights offers an understated, peaceful respite from the daily traffic. Nestled amidst a mosaic of quiet streets and local parks, it is often mistaken for just another neighborhood, but it is actually a small, peaceful city within the 78201 zip code.

This compact and affordable enclave is a renters' paradise with a range of condos, lofts, apartments, and homes. It strikes a balance for USAA employees looking for affordability with easy access to San Antonio's extensive freeway system.

3 The South Texas Medical Center (STMC)

San Antonio's Medical Center is located on the city's northwest side. The South Texas Medical Center (STMC) region includes the University of Texas Health San Antonio campus. It is a massive healthcare and research hub spanning over 900 acres and employing over 12,000 people. Bordered by IH-10 and Loop 410 East, this dynamic district fuels the city’s bioscience, biomedical research, and medical education efforts. It is home to dozens of hospitals and specialty treatment centers. Unfortunately, unlike the Houston Medical Center, STMC does not have a light rail system.

Westover Hills

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,056$675$1,550
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,087$610$2,325
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,447$295$2,995
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,747$337$2,504

Westover Hills is a suburban development in San Antonio's northwest side. A growing area, it combines a range of housing options with easy access to medical facilities, retail, and entertainment. Westover Hills is a short eight-mile drive from the Medical Center. Admittedly, with San Antonio traffic, that can be a quick 10-minute or a more cumbersome 45-minute drive. Many healthcare professionals working at STMC live within commuting distance, where there is a wide range of rental properties. Westover Hills apartments are widely affordable with upscale amenities. There are a few that are modern chic at higher costs. The area is serviced by public transportation.

Stone Oak

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,168$999$1,631
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,362$854$3,164
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,739$1,084$3,739
3 Bedroom Apartments$2,246$1,389$3,315
4 Bedroom Apartments$3,072$2,850$3,295

Stone Oak is also an excellent choice for more established physicians and allied health professionals who commute to the South Texas Medical Center. It is a gated, family-centric community with strong schools.

The area is surrounded by services such as grocery stores, shopping, pubs, wine bars, and fusion cafés.

Stone Oak is also home to a handful of luxury condos and apartments. Unsurprisingly, rental prices in the area are high, especially for three-bedroom options. But to many, an upscale suburban lifestyle with a manageable commute is worth the price. In fact, one of my favorite eateries, Stone Terrace Gastropub, is in the area.

Leon Valley

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$865$576$1,361
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,100$568$2,728
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,333$295$2,430
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,550$337$2,501

Leon Valley is a short three-mile drive southwest of the South Texas Medical Center. Commuters can travel by a main thoroughfare, Wurzbach Road, if they have errands or want to pick up take-out. Or, use the 410 Loop freeway.

The area was originally a 1940s farming community. And even with multi-stage planned developments, the Village of Leaon Valley retains a calm, approachable charm.

For apartment hunters, Leon Valley offers options for all lifestyles - new builds or remodels. The costs are competitive, but the area affords easy access to restaurants, shopping, schools, the San Antonia Aquarium, and Raymond Rimkus Park. This is one of my favorite areas as my parent lived here for years.

Castle Hills

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$804$575$1,100
1 Bedroom Apartments$905$668$1,549
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,174$850$1,875
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,435$1,250$1,890
4 Bedroom Apartments$1,567$1,535$1,600

Castle Hills is a small but independent city with a population of 4,000 residents. It is located east of the South Texas Medical Center and across IH-10 in north central San Antonio. The commute from the South Texas Medical Center is a short trek, 4.5 miles.

Considered an iconic part of River City, the area offers a mix of traditional apartments, duplexes, and homes. Numerous green spaces and walking trails offset the easy access to shopping malls, churches, and restaurants. Family-centric, the area schools are highly rated. This is another neighborhood that my parents, aunt, and uncle favored. It was peaceful, even though the city was a block or two away.

4 Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU)

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) has deep roots in San Antonio. First founded at Randolph Air Force Base in 1952, the private financial institution is owned by more than 1.1 million members. Roughly 2,300 employees work at its corporate headquarters, located in Live Oak, Texas, just northeast of San Antonio. On a side note, when I was in college, the area encompassing Randolph AFB was on the outskirts of town. But in the past decade, the area has expanded and is now a vital part of Northeast San Antonio.

Live Oak

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,031$750$1,317
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,132$775$1,790
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,383$800$2,301
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,833$900$3,457
4 Bedroom Apartments$2,566$2,499$2,625

Live Oak combines urban conveniences with a laid-back suburban atmosphere. It is named for the unique oak trees that grow in the area. The neighborhood is friendly and family-oriented. Unsurprisingly, Live Oak City Park is a local gem, featuring a scenic lake, walking trails, and sports facilities. I love to run these trails during the fall.

Centered near IH-35 and Loop 1604, the mile or so commute to Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union headquarters barely gives you time to finish your coffee. The neighborhood is close to The Forum for shopping. Live Oak is a bustling neighborhood with a host of rental options that mirror its energy. Most apartments and condos are highly affordable, although there are always one or two in the group that are above market rates.

Alamo Heights

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$1,335$745$2,529
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,426$700$3,348
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,920$895$10,000+
3 Bedroom Apartments$2,602$1,267$10,000+

Alamo Heights is one of the more established San Antonio enclaves. It is indicative of affluence and sophistication. Refined French cuisine, brunch cafes, the McNay Art Museum, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden are all a part of its culture.

The area used to be upscale single-family housing, but new chic lofts and remodels have opened the area to young professionals. The rental prices in Alamo Heights are some of the highest in San Antonio, but the amenities are worth the cost. Overall, Alamo Heights is a strong, walkable community, perfect for families.

Uptown Loop

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$808$575$1,100
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,049$668$3,348
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,341$850$10,000+
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,698$1,250$10,000+
4 Bedroom Apartments$1,567$1,535$1,600

Uptown Loop is an exciting urban mix of sprawling retail centers and a flair for nightlife and cultural dining. The neighborhood spans roughly 35 square miles, and 122,000 residents call it home.

Surprisingly, the rental costs in the area are low to moderate compared to Downtown or Northwest San Antonio. Small condos and larger multifamily properties offer a unique and surprisingly affordable balance, relatively near chic entertainment, and only seven miles away, a quick 15-minute drive.

Universal City

BedroomAverage RentCheapest RentHighest Rent
Studio Apartments$975$725$1,317
1 Bedroom Apartments$1,075$760$2,560
2 Bedroom Apartments$1,316$850$2,593
3 Bedroom Apartments$1,770$999$4,492
4 Bedroom Apartments$2,566$2,499$2,625

Universal City sits slightly southeast of the Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union campus in Live Oak. The commute is less than five miles and follows the curve of Loop 1604. Even with freeway traffic, it is a short 15 minutes or so back and forth to work. Originally focused on military family housing, today the small town naturally blends quiet streets and easy access to urban amenities. Universal City is a favorite among families and corporate professionals who work at Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union or nearby Randolph Air Force Base. Residents here have a strong sense of community. Veterans Park is one of several green spaces. Rental prices in the heart of Universal City are more moderate, with small traditional-styled housing.

San Antonio combines a thriving job market with warm community spirit and a dash of eclectic charm. Its diverse neighborhood mix ranges from bustling urban districts with walkable streets to suburban enclaves with top-rated schools, allowing for every lifestyle and budget. This accommodates real-time work-life balance. Living near your workplace not only cuts down on traffic and commute time, which admittedly factors in San Antonio, but also gives you time to explore San Antonio’s impressive art and food scene.