San Antonio is earning recognition on a global stage.
Oxford Economics has named San Antonio one of its Cities to Watch in its 2026 Global Cities Index, recognizing the home of the Alamo as one of the top five cities in North America based on its growth trajectory and recent economic activity.
The Cities to Watch designation was created this year to highlight cities generating momentum and positioned to rise in the rankings in the years ahead.
In its analysis, Oxford Economics noted that "Texas's metros have outpaced most leading U.S. metros, but San Antonio has done so at a quieter and more balanced pace than its larger state peers." The report also projects that San Antonio will outpace most leading metros in both GDP and job growth through 2030.
San Antonio's inclusion reflects a combination of factors that contribute to long-term competitiveness, including economic performance, workforce development, quality of life, and continued investment across the region.
The index evaluates 1,000 cities across five key categories: economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. Oxford Economics places the greatest emphasis on economics, human capital, and quality of life, which together account for 80% of a city's overall score. Measures include economic growth, employment growth, educational attainment, population trends, economic diversity, housing costs, income, and access to cultural and recreational amenities.
San Antonio was assigned an overall score of 69.5, including category scores of 68.1 in economics, 59.8 in human capital, 63.7 in quality of life, 70.5 in environment, and 75.7 in governance.
Recent announcements include Toyota's $3.6 billion expansion, IEM's $200 million investment, and Blackwave's decision to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation in San Antonio, reflecting continued growth across Greater San Antonio's target industries, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, cybersecurity, and life sciences.
Through August 2026, the regional economic partnership greater:SATX had already surpassed its annual economic development goals, helping secure 7,098 jobs and $4.8 billion in capital investment across the region.
Momentum Across Key Industries
The San Antonio region continues to see growth across advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, aerospace, military and defense, life sciences, healthcare, and other targeted sectors.
Toyota's $3.6 billion expansion is expected to create 2,000 new jobs and double the company's San Antonio manufacturing footprint by 2030. IEM's $200 million investment at Brooks Global Crossing is expected to create approximately 2,960 jobs and add 1 million square feet of manufacturing space.
While each investment represents an individual business decision, together they reflect the strength and diversity of the regional economy.
Those industries are supported by workforce initiatives, transportation infrastructure, military assets, research institutions, site-readiness efforts, and sustained collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit partners throughout the region.
Talent Continues to Support Regional Competitiveness
Talent remains one of Greater San Antonio's defining advantages.
The region's workforce pipeline is supported by institutions including the University of Texas at San Antonio, the Alamo Colleges District, Texas State University, Trinity University, St. Mary's University, and the University of the Incarnate Word. Together, these institutions prepare students and professionals for careers in business, engineering, healthcare, cybersecurity, data analytics, and emerging technologies.
That pipeline is reinforced through industry partnerships, work-based learning opportunities, and workforce development initiatives that align education and training with employer needs.
For companies evaluating locations for investment and expansion, access to skilled talent remains a critical factor.
A Growing Research and Innovation Ecosystem
San Antonio's research and innovation ecosystem continues to expand, creating stronger connections between talent, discovery, and industry growth.
UTSA is one of a limited number of Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Carnegie R1 research status. Southwest Research Institute employs more than 3,000 scientists and engineers and remains one of the nation's largest independent nonprofit research and development organizations. Texas Biomedical Research Institute operates one of the few Biosafety Level 4 laboratories in the United States.
Together, these institutions support research, workforce development, technology advancement, and industry collaboration across cybersecurity, defense, aerospace, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
Recognition of a Long-Term Trajectory
San Antonio's inclusion among Oxford Economics' Cities to Watch reflects the region's continued growth in jobs and investment, expansion across key industries, and ongoing development of the talent, infrastructure, research, and quality-of-place assets that support the regional economy.
For Greater San Antonio, the designation offers independent recognition that the region's economic trajectory is attracting attention beyond its borders.