# Affordable Apartments San Antonio | Income Based Apartments > Tax credit, income-restricted, and lower minimum-income apartment research in San Antonio and nearby suburbs. Your personalized list arrives by text and email in 48 hours. URL: https://incomebasedapartments.com/cities/san-antonio/ ![Stucco apartment community with terracotta accents in the San Antonio area](/images/misc/san-antonio-area-stucco-apartment-community-with-t.webp) List by text and email within 48 hours # Affordable Apartments in San Antonio: Get a Researched List of Options Last updated: October 12, 2026 Tell us your budget, income, and preferred areas, and we'll research tax credit communities, income-restricted apartments, and properties with lower minimum-income requirements in San Antonio and northeast suburbs such as Schertz and New Braunfels. Your list arrives by text and email within 48 hours. Get My Apartment List [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio) See How It Works [/how-it-works/ →](/how-it-works/) Delivered by text and email within 48 hours Operated by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC • Austin-based • 20+ years of combined experience Important Our research includes tax credit apartments, income-restricted communities, and properties with lower minimum-income requirements. Not every apartment we identify calculates rent based on your income. **Your list provides researched apartment options to explore. Each community confirms current rents, availability, eligibility, and screening requirements and makes its own approval decisions.** Common Search Problems ## Affordable Apartment Hurdles in San Antonio ### San Antonio rents that look alike but cost different amounts Two apartments with similar rent can leave very different amounts in your budget once electric, gas, and water bills arrive. **Why it happens here:** San Antonio's city-owned CPS Energy and SAWS run their own income-qualified discount programs, and CPS Energy's eligibility is set at 150% of federal poverty guidelines through at least January 2027. **How we help:** Tell us your total monthly limit, not just rent. For tax credit and lower minimum-income options, we note which bills the tenant pays so you know which utility discount to ask about. ### The 3x rent rule rules you out Many properties ask for gross income of about three times the rent. Some use lower multiples, but listings rarely say so up front. ### The terms blur together Tax credit, income-restricted, income-based, and Section 8 mean different things, and a listing may not say which one applies. ### Leasing calls eat your day Calling property after property to ask about income rules takes hours, and you may still not get a clear answer. ### Application fees add up Paying to apply at a community you turn out not to qualify for costs money you can't get back. What We Research ## Apartment Types Included in Your Research We research tax credit, income-restricted, and lower minimum-income communities across the city and northeast along I-35 and Loop 1604 to Converse, Live Oak, Universal City, Schertz, Cibolo, and New Braunfels. ![](/images/misc/well-maintained-texas-tax-credit-apartment-communi.webp) [/tax-credit-apartments/ →](/tax-credit-apartments/) ### Tax Credit Apartments [/tax-credit-apartments/ →](/tax-credit-apartments/) Research on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit communities, including income limits, rent restrictions, and what to confirm before you apply. - Program type identified for each community (LIHTC / tax credit, set-aside tiers where verified) - Maximum income limits by household size, with source and effective year when published - Known minimum-income screening criteria, which can apply alongside maximum limits Learn about tax credit options [/tax-credit-apartments/ →](/tax-credit-apartments/) Request this type [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio&type=tax-credit-apartments →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio&type=tax-credit-apartments) ![](/images/misc/young-renter-reviewing-a-budget-on-her-phone-on-th.webp) [/lower-minimum-income-apartments/ →](/lower-minimum-income-apartments/) ### Apartments With Lower Minimum-Income Requirements [/lower-minimum-income-apartments/ →](/lower-minimum-income-apartments/) Research on communities whose screening criteria may require less income relative to rent. This is not the same as a subsidized or income-restricted property. - Known minimum-income criteria recorded with source and date - Conditions noted where verified (guarantor, co-signer, additional deposit) - Separates screening criteria from program income limits Learn about lower income requirements options [/lower-minimum-income-apartments/ →](/lower-minimum-income-apartments/) Request this type [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio&type=lower-minimum-income-apartments →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio&type=lower-minimum-income-apartments) ![](/images/misc/mixed-income-apartment-building-entrance-in-texas-.webp) [/income-restricted-apartments/ →](/income-restricted-apartments/) ### Income-Restricted Apartments [/income-restricted-apartments/ →](/income-restricted-apartments/) Research on properties or designated units with income eligibility limits, plus a clear explanation of how they differ from income-based rent. - Designated income-restricted units identified where verified - AMI tier and household-size limits recorded with program, geography, and effective year - Minimum screening income flagged alongside maximum limits Learn about income-restricted options [/income-restricted-apartments/ →](/income-restricted-apartments/) Request this type [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio&type=income-restricted-apartments →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio&type=income-restricted-apartments) How It Works ## Your Request, Our Research, Your List From your request to a researched list, delivered by text and email within 48 hours. 1. Step 1 ### Tell us about your search Share preferred locations, budget, household income, household size, bedroom needs, and move timing. 2. Step 2 ### We research apartment options We review your request, research potentially relevant communities, and contact leasing staff or management when clarification is needed. 3. Step 3 ### Receive your list within 48 hours Your personalized list arrives by text and email, with why each community was included and what to confirm. 4. Step 4 ### Contact communities Follow the suggested next steps to confirm current availability, requirements, and application procedures. ## Need a Clear List Before Moving Day? No Social Security number, bank details, or ID uploads. A research request is not an application, and you decide which communities to contact. Get My Apartment List [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio) ![City bus on a northeast San Antonio street lined with apartments](/images/features/via-bus-on-a-northeast-san-antonio-street-lined-wi.webp) Why Use Our Research ## Why Bexar County Renters Choose Our Research - Research across the city and six nearby suburbs, out to New Braunfels - Location and county noted for every community, so you can check what applies - VIA transit access considered when you ask for it - Program type labeled for every community on your list - Your list by text and email within 48 hours of a completed request Operated by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC • Austin-based • 20+ years of combined experience Local Knowledge ## Local Knowledge for San Antonio Apartment Searches San Antonio's job centers include **Downtown**, the **South Texas Medical Center** on the northwest side, and the area around the airport, so a commute-friendly search often starts with one of those. Many requests also reach northeast to Converse, Universal City, and Live Oak, then on to Schertz, Cibolo, and New Braunfels. Utilities are city-owned here, which can change your monthly math. **CPS Energy** runs an Affordability Discount Program for households at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines with a qualifying factor, extended through at least January 2027, and **SAWS** offers its own water bill discounts. Your list notes which bills the tenant pays when we can confirm it. Transit is changing too. **VIA** is building the **Green Line**, a north-south rapid transit corridor along San Pedro Avenue through downtown toward Brooks. Until it opens, name the VIA bus routes you rely on. ### Loop 410, Loop 1604, and the Northeast Suburbs Commutes here tend to follow **Loop 410**, **Loop 1604**, and the **I-35 corridor**. Many requests reach northeast to Converse, Universal City, and Live Oak, then on to Schertz, Cibolo, and New Braunfels. Those outer suburbs cross into **Guadalupe County** and **Comal County**, outside **Bexar County**. That can matter for which housing agency serves an area and which income tables a property uses, so we note the location of each community clearly. If you rely on **VIA Metropolitan Transit**, include the routes you use in your request. We'll weigh transit access during research and note it on your list when we can confirm it. ### Opportunity Home and Program Context The local housing authority has operated as **Opportunity Home San Antonio** since August 2022. We don't administer housing programs or issue vouchers, but if you have a voucher or are on a waiting list, you can note it in your request. Tax credit (LIHTC) communities [/tax-credit-apartments/ →](/tax-credit-apartments/) in the area are overseen statewide by TDHCA. They limit income and rent on designated units, but rent usually isn't calculated as a share of your own pay. You may also find market-rate properties with lower income-to-rent screening. That's a property rule, not a subsidy, and it can change. Your list labels each community's type so you know what you're looking at. Coverage ## Suburbs and Nearby Areas We Cover These are common coverage areas, not statements about government-program jurisdictions. Choose as many as you'd consider and tell us how far you're willing to move. ### Northeast inside Bexar County - Converse - Universal City - Live Oak ### Along I-35 toward New Braunfels - Schertz - Cibolo - New Braunfels **ZIP codes we cover include** 78205, 78207, 78209, 78210, 78216, 78217, 78229, 78233, 78240, 78250, plus any other ZIP code you add to your request. ### Tips for a stronger request - Say whether Loop 410, Loop 1604, or I-35 commutes work for you. - Add New Braunfels or Schertz if you're open to the northeast suburbs. - Include Austin in your request if you could live between the two cities. Map shows the general area. Our team is based in Austin and has no public office address. ### Commute anchors, roads, and transit Name the places and routes that matter to you, and we'll keep research close to them. - Downtown San Antonio - South Texas Medical Center - San Antonio International Airport - University of Texas at San Antonio - Brooks - Loop 410 - Loop 1604 - I-35 - I-10 - US 281 - I-37 - VIA Metropolitan Transit buses - VIA Primo - VIA Green Line (under construction) Your Request ## What Information Do We Need From You? A request takes a few minutes. We never ask for Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, ID documents, or income-verification uploads. ### Preferred areas The city, nearby suburbs, neighborhoods, or ZIP codes you'd consider, and how far you'll move ### Budget and income Monthly rent budget and approximate gross household income (monthly or yearly) ### Household Household size and the number of bedrooms you need ### Timing Your target move date or date range ### Optional details Voucher status, pets, accessibility features, transit needs, and other considerations ### Delivery Your email and mobile number, so we can send your list by text and email Start My Request [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio) The form opens with this city already selected. Got Questions? ## San Antonio Apartment Research FAQs ### Do you research apartments in New Braunfels and Schertz? Yes. New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Converse, Universal City, and Live Oak are all in our northeast coverage along I-35 and Loop 1604. ### What is Opportunity Home San Antonio? It's the name the local housing authority has used since August 2022. We don't run housing programs, but you can note your voucher or waitlist status in your request. ### Can I search San Antonio and Austin together? Yes. Choose both markets and tell us how far you're willing to move. Suburbs like New Braunfels and San Marcos sit between the two. ### Can I focus on the Loop 410 or Loop 1604 area? Yes. Tell us which loop, highway exit, or part of town works for your commute, and we'll keep research centered there. ### Can you focus on apartments near VIA routes? Yes. Name the VIA bus routes you use. VIA is also building the Green Line, a north-south rapid transit corridor along San Pedro Avenue, which we can factor in once it opens. ### Do suburbs outside Bexar County use different income limits? They can. Some northeast suburbs sit in Guadalupe or Comal County, and restricted-unit limits depend on the program, area, household size, and year. Each property confirms its own table. ### Are there utility discounts that lower my monthly cost? Possibly. CPS Energy's Affordability Discount Program covers households at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines with a qualifying factor, and SAWS offers its own water discounts. We note which bills the tenant pays so you can ask. ### Will my list show which county each community is in? Yes. We note each community's city and county, which helps you check which housing agency and income tables may apply. ### Still have a question? Email us at texas@incomebasedapartments.com [mailto:texas@incomebasedapartments.com →](mailto:texas@incomebasedapartments.com) or start your request and add the question in the notes. Get My Apartment List [/apartment-search-request/ →](/apartment-search-request/) Helpful Reading ## Guides for Texas Renters Housing Guide ### What to Include in Your Apartment Search Request A field-by-field guide to completing your apartment search request so your 48-hour list is as useful as possible. No SSN or documents needed. Read guide [What to Include in Your Apartment Search Request →](/guide/what-to-include-in-apartment-search-request/) Housing Guide ### Income-Based vs. Income-Restricted Housing Income-based rent, income-restricted units, tax credit communities, and lower minimum-income properties are different. See the comparison table and what each means for you. Read guide [Income-Based vs. Income-Restricted Housing →](/guide/income-based-vs-income-restricted-housing/) Housing Guide ### Questions to Ask Before Paying an Application Fee Before you pay an apartment application fee, confirm income limits, minimum income, availability, screening criteria, and refund terms. Get answers in writing. Read guide [Questions to Ask Before Paying an Application Fee →](/guide/questions-before-paying-application-fee/) Other Markets ## Other Texas Markets We Research You can include more than one market in a single request. Each community appears on your list once. Texas Houston Pasadena, Baytown, Humble, Spring and more View Houston [/cities/houston/ →](/cities/houston/) Texas Dallas Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Richardson and more View Dallas [/cities/dallas/ →](/cities/dallas/) Texas Fort Worth Arlington, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Euless and more View Fort Worth [/cities/fort-worth/ →](/cities/fort-worth/) Texas Austin Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Cedar Park and more View Austin [/cities/austin/ →](/cities/austin/) ![](/images/misc/warm-evening-view-of-a-well-kept-texas-garden-styl.webp) Personalized Texas Apartment Research ## Get Your San Antonio Apartment List Tell us what you need. Your personalized list arrives by text and email within 48 hours of a completed request. Get My Apartment List [/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio →](/apartment-search-request/?city=san-antonio) Email Our Team [mailto:texas@incomebasedapartments.com →](mailto:texas@incomebasedapartments.com) - No SSN or documents needed - List by text and email - Research request, not an application