SAN ANTONIO — About 17% of people in San Antonio live in poverty, a rate that has not significantly improved over the past decade, according to a new city report.

The Department of Human Services’ 2026 Status of Poverty report analyzed U.S. Census data and found that roughly 250,000 people in the city live below the poverty line. The report also found that child poverty has declined while poverty among older adults has increased.

A separate measure included in the city’s presentation shows the financial strain extends beyond households living in poverty.

United For ALICE data shows 44% of Bexar County households fell below a threshold based on the local cost of basic needs in 2024. That figure includes the 15% of households living below the federal poverty level and another 29% earning above it but below what is needed to afford essentials.

Robert Gonzales, 74, said he sees the pressure in his work as a taxi driver. Gonzales, who has driven a cab for 46 years and runs National Cab, said he looks for cheaper gas because he fills up every day.

“I’m always having to look around for 20 cents cheaper, five cents cheaper in the gasoline, because, you know, I have to fill up every day, and it’s costing me more money to operate,” he said.

Gonzales said he also thinks carefully about what he buys at the grocery store.

“I look at the prices and I say, man, I better buy chicken or buy pork because the beef is so expensive,” he said.

At the Las Palmas shopping center, Sarah Batillo said her family has had difficult times financially, though having two incomes has helped. She said they have cut back on some items and started buying more in bulk.

“We cut back on stuff like we don’t really buy much like paper plates anymore,” she said. “We try to use regular plates. We’ve been trying to buy bulk a little bit more to save.”

Affordability has also been an issue in the race for U.S. Senate. Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton both spoke about the cost of living during separate campaign stops Saturday.

“As I’ve traveled, I keep hearing the same thing,” Paxton said in Georgetown. “Everything costs more: gas, groceries, electricity. Everything’s up except your paycheck.”

Talarico spoke in San Antonio about Texans facing financial pressures, including small business owners.

“Those Texans are my team. They are why I’m in this race,” he said.

Batillo said she wants candidates to pay attention to what Texans need.

“Try to care more about what us Texans need, you know, not what they need or what’s good for them,” she said. “We’re struggling here.”

Gonzales said he has already voted and encouraged others to make their voices heard.

“Remember one thing, your voice is the vote,” he said.