Is San Antonio the Biggest Military City in the U.S.?

San Antonio proudly calls itself "Military City USA," with a 300-year history of Army posts, Air Force training, and veteran communities. But is it literally the biggest military town in America?

As a U.S. Air Force veteran and San Antonio military relocation expert, I've heard this question a lot. In this post I dive into the data – active-duty headcount, base size, economic impact, VA loan trends and more – and compare SA to other top military metros.

By the end you'll know exactly where "Military City USA" stands, and what it means if you're buying or selling a home here.

San Antonio's Military Foundation

San Antonio's military presence is visible everywhere. JBSA (Joint Base San Antonio) — the combined operations of Lackland AFB, Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB and Camp Bullis — supports tens of thousands of service members and their families.

The U.S. Army South describes San Antonio as having "one of the nation's largest active and retired military populations." With a city population around 1.55 million, our military connection isn't just historical pride; it's a real demographic reality.

I've lived it – as a service member and now as a realtor, I see uniformed men and women at every store, school and neighborhood in San Antonio.

Active-Duty Population: How San Antonio Compares

A key way to measure "biggest military city" is active-duty numbers. Joint Base San Antonio is large, but let's put it in perspective.

San Antonio–New Braunfels Metro: About 32,000 active-duty personnel at JBSA. This counts soldiers, airmen, and others assigned full-time.

Hampton Roads (VA–NC) Metro: Around 83,000 active-duty military, the largest single concentration in the country. Norfolk Naval Base anchors this region as the world's largest naval station.

Colorado Springs Metro: Approximately 31,700 active-duty at Fort Carson Army post plus Air Force bases.

Honolulu Metro: Roughly 46,800 active-duty, split between Pearl Harbor and Schofield Barracks plus Air Force commands.

Killeen–Temple Metro (Ft. Hood): About 35,000 active-duty at Fort Cavazos, one of the Army's largest bases.

By headcount, San Antonio is huge, but not #1. Virginia Beach–Norfolk is often cited as the top metro by sheer numbers.

San Diego, Colorado Springs, Honolulu, and Killeen are also in the conversation. San Antonio's ~32K active-duty is comparable to Colorado Springs, but below Hampton Roads or Honolulu.

In other words, SA is one of the largest, but technically not the single biggest.

Where San Antonio Leads

Where San Antonio shines is in the diversity and density of its military installations. We have four major bases all over town.

That matters for real estate: across the metro you'll find large communities of Marines, Airmen, Soldiers and their families. JBSA itself is the largest single DoD installation by area and mission.

Our bases send 39,000 new recruits through basic training each year. I've personally worked with enlisted folks fresh from Lackland and officers with advanced tech training at JBSA.

For real estate, that means steady demand for housing from all service branches throughout the year.

San Antonio's Four Major Military Installations

Lackland AFB (JBSA-Lackland): The Air Force's biggest training center hosting roughly 21,000 active-duty airmen with 19,000 dependents. Lackland alone generates about 24,000 trainees annually.

Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-Ft. Sam): The Army's medical training and headquarters post, home to Brooke Army Medical Center. It has about 10,735 active-duty soldiers and 15,695 dependents.

Randolph AFB (JBSA-Randolph): USAF's personnel center and training hub with roughly 2,736 active-duty and 4,720 dependents.

Camp Bullis: An Army training area supporting all three posts with ranges and exercises.

Collectively, JBSA employs nearly 80,000 people including active duty, civilians and contractors. It draws some 130,000 students a year through military schools.

JBSA's economic footprint is enormous: it adds roughly $55 billion in output to the Texas economy. For context, that's on par with a major Fortune 500 company's revenue.

Economic Impact Drives Real Estate

One reason people brag about SA is the money. The military and veteran presence fuels the local economy.

Joint Base San Antonio's population directly generated $55.1 billion in output and supported 240,000 jobs in 2023. JBSA itself is the region's single biggest employer.

Every major base has its own mini-economy: Lackland alone paid over $1 billion in federal contracts in 2019. Local builders, retailers and renters all benefit.

Housing and VA loans are a big part of this. San Antonio's home market has plenty of VA-eligible properties.

In fact, San Antonio ranks in the top U.S. cities for VA mortgage volume: it funded 27,810 VA home purchase loans in FY2021. Our comparatively affordable prices plus steady military influx explain this.

VA Loans and Military-Friendly Neighborhoods

Because so many troops and veterans live here, San Antonio has a well-oiled military real estate machine. As a USMC spouse-turned-agent, I guide dozens of relocations each year.

Families often ask: "Where do military folks live near the bases?" Popular areas include Alamo Ranch, Helotes and Far North neighborhoods for JBSA-Randolph/Lackland. Schertz and Cibolo work well for JBSA-Fort Sam.

Many of these neighborhoods offer special tax breaks or incentives for military households. Utilities and even development fees can be reduced or waived for veterans here.

When service members PCS to San Antonio, they find a community that truly understands military life. We boast local testimonials, 5-star VA lenders, and Realtors who have been there.

San Antonio's real estate market tends to ramp up in February–May and August–October, peaking around typical change-of-station seasons. VA loan usage mirrors that timing.

The Verdict: Is San Antonio #1?

So: Is San Antonio the biggest military city? It depends how you define biggest.

If you count active-duty personnel head-to-head, no – Norfolk/Hampton Roads remains larger. But by every other measure, San Antonio is unquestionably massive.

Number of installations? San Antonio leads with four major bases in one metro. Economic impact? Our $55 billion military footprint rivals any city.

Veteran community and training graduates? We're at the top of the list.

For homebuyers and sellers, the upshot is good news: military families have made San Antonio a stable, year-round market. My experience shows JBSA constantly drives demand across price ranges.

With over $55 billion in military-driven spending and nearly 28,000 VA loans annually, the military economy here helps keep values strong even in slower times. Because service members rotate frequently, there are always first-time and seasoned buyers entering the market.

Moving to Military City USA

If you're considering San Antonio for your military move – congratulations! You're coming to a place that loves its troops.

The city offers robust veteran services, strong schools in military-heavy neighborhoods, and plenty of military-friendly community events. As a local realtor and veteran myself, I can connect you with lenders who speak military and neighborhoods where your kids will fit right in.

Whether you're relocating here or selling a base-near home, let's talk. At Sharp Realty Group, we specialize in military moves. Get a Free PCS Consultation to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio the largest military city in the U.S.?

Not by active-duty headcount. San Antonio's Joint Base is huge, but metro areas like Norfolk/Virginia Beach have more active-duty personnel.

SA is among the top five, though, and we have more bases within one city than anywhere else. Our economy and veteran population are enormous, so we feel like the biggest.

What makes San Antonio "Military City USA"?

The nickname comes from our long history of military presence since 1845 and the fact we host four major bases. The city has embraced this identity with Armed Forces Day celebrations and community support programs.

We even trademarked "Military City USA" to cement the title. It means locals value and support our service members through local policies, programs and daily life.

Which U.S. city has the largest military population?

Generally, the Hampton Roads metro leads with about 83,000 active-duty. The Norfolk/Virginia Beach area has the world's largest naval base.

Colorado Springs, Honolulu, and Killeen are also in the top five. San Antonio typically ranks 4th or 5th.

How does being a "military city" affect housing?

Positively, in most ways. We have an abundance of VA-eligible homes, and neighborhoods catering to military lifestyle.

The steady turnover from PCS cycles keeps the rental and resale markets active. Peak demand can push prices up near base housing areas, so timing matters.

As a vet who's bought and sold here, I advise clients on the best neighborhoods for their stage of life.

What VA loan perks are there in San Antonio?

Our local lenders offer streamlined VA underwriting because we have so much experience with these loans. San Antonio funded over 27,000 VA loans in FY2021.

Neighborhoods like Stone Oak, Live Oak, Schertz and Alamo Heights are popular for their proximity and incentives. Utility discounts, property tax exemptions, and vehicle registration fees can be reduced for veterans here.

Work with a military-savvy Realtor and a VA lender, and you'll navigate these benefits easily.

How can Anthony Sharp help with my move to San Antonio?

I'm a USAF vet and full-time San Antonio Realtor® focusing on military relocations. I've helped 100+ service members and veterans PCS to San Antonio since 2020.