Is Knob Hill safe?
San Antonio, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Knob Hill as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Knob Hill
“Go with care. Knob Hill is a quiet, historic East Side residential neighborhood with attractive character and close proximity to downtown attractions. While daytime visits are generally peaceful, property crime and occasional violent incidents in adjacent East Side corridors warrant basic safety precautions and vigilance at night.”
About the area
Knob Hill is an established Near East Side neighborhood in San Antonio characterized by early 20th-century bungalows, tree-lined streets, and gradual revitalization. It offers quick access to the Alamodome, St. Paul Square, and the downtown core while retaining a distinctly residential feel.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Developing
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Knob Hill
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Neighborhood streets are flat but lack dedicated bike lanes; cyclists can connect to the Salado Creek Greenway and downtown bike corridors via East Commerce Street.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate proximity to downtown San Antonio, St. Paul Square, and the Alamodome
- Charming historic housing stock with active neighborhood revitalization efforts
- High rates of owner-occupancy on key residential blocks fostering community cohesion
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates remain above the national and municipal averages
- Elevated poverty rates and scattered vacant or poorly maintained lots
- Inconsistent street lighting and limited pedestrian infrastructure on interior side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Knob Hill, but unhoused individuals and occasional encampments are present along nearby commercial corridors and under the I-37 overpasses to the west.
What Knob Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents heading to work; safe for casual walking along main streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet residential conditions, though visitors should remain aware around isolated alleys and empty lots.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Foot traffic drops off considerably at sundown; stick to well-lit thoroughfares and secure parked vehicles.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Risk of opportunistic property crime increases significantly; walking alone late at night is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
VIA Metropolitan Transit provides direct service into downtown San Antonio via Route 24 and Route 25 along East Commerce Street, with headways of approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
Free on-street parking is widely available throughout residential streets; drivers should remove all valuables to prevent vehicle break-ins.
Things to do in Knob Hill
- Admire early 1900s craftsman and folk Victorian architecture on a neighborhood walk
- Enjoy casual recreation and green space at nearby Dawson Park or Fairview Park
- Sample soul food and craft coffee along the East Commerce Street corridor
Local favorites
- Mark's Outing · Hamburger Restaurant · 4.5★ (2550)Long-running East Side staple famous for thick, seasoned burgers and complimentary beans.
- Estate Coffee Company · Coffee Roasters · 4.7★ (460)Artisanal small-batch coffee roaster serving specialty espresso drinks and craft syrups.
- Sweet Yams · Health Food / Soul Food · 4.6★ (620)Cozy, vibrant eatery offering organic, gluten-free Southern and Caribbean-inspired dishes.
Neighborhoods near Knob Hill
Common questions about Knob Hill
Is Knob Hill safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Knob Hill a good place to live?
On safety, Knob Hill scores 61/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Knob Hill?
Walk score 62/100 and bike score 58/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Knob Hill are safer?
Pearl (80), Lavaca (74), Hemisfair (70) score higher nearby.
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