Latest Blog
The North I-35 Growth Corridor: Where Buyers Are Moving in Greater San Antonio
The North I-35 Growth Corridor: Where Buyers Are Moving in Greater San Antonio If you have shopped for a home anywhere northeast of downtown San Antonio recently, you have already touched the North I-35 Corridor,
Why Buyers Are Choosing Stone Oak and North San Antonio
Why Buyers Are Choosing Stone Oak and North San Antonio Stone Oak has been one of San Antonio’s most in-demand districts for years, and in 2026 that demand shows no sign of slowing. Buyers coming
New Construction Homes in Stone Oak and North San Antonio
New Construction Homes in Stone Oak and North San Antonio Stone Oak itself has limited new inventory these days. After more than two decades of development, most of the district’s buildable land has already been
Converse vs Universal City: Comparing Two Military-Friendly Communities
Converse and Universal City sit on opposite sides of Randolph Air Force Base, both draw heavily on military and retired-military households, and both offer some of the more affordable housing in the northeast San Antonio metro. They are natural cross-shops for anyone with orders to JBSA-Randolph, but the two cities differ meaningfully in age, size, and school zoning, and the right one for you depends on which of those trade-offs matters most.
Here is the quick take. Universal City is smaller, older, and sits directly against the base with the shortest possible commutes. Converse is larger, still actively growing, and offers a bit more new construction, at a very similar price point to Universal City overall. Neither is better. They simply grew up on different sides of the same base.
At a glance
- ⦿ Price: Converse’s median sale price sits around $240,000 to $255,000. Universal City’s median runs closer to $300,000. Converse generally offers the lower entry point.
- ⦿ Housing stock: Universal City is largely built out with a mix of 1960s–1970s homes and some newer infill. Converse has more active new construction and a wider range of home ages.
- ⦿ Schools: Both are primarily served by Judson ISD, though specific campus assignments still vary by address.
- ⦿ Commute to Randolph: Universal City sits directly against the base with some of the shortest drives in the region. Converse is still close, typically 15 to 20 minutes depending on the neighborhood.
Price comparison
Converse is the more affordable of the two, with a median sale price generally between $250,000 and $270,000, compared with Universal City’s median around $300,000. That gap, while not huge, is meaningful for buyers stretching every dollar of a first-time purchase, and it is one of the main reasons Converse continues to draw a steady stream of buyers priced out of communities closer to the base gate itself.
Size, age, and growth
Universal City is smaller and almost entirely built out, with a housing stock rooted mostly in the 1960s and 70s and very little new construction left to build. Converse is larger, younger as a suburb, and still actively growing, having expanded 161 percent since 2000 with new subdivisions continuing to fill in around the Rocket Lane corridor. If you want a wider selection of newer homes, Converse has the edge. If you want an established, already-landscaped neighborhood, Universal City wins.
Schools
Converse is served primarily by Judson ISD, with a smaller portion in North East ISD and some IDEA Public Schools charter options. Universal City is split between Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD and Judson ISD depending on the specific address. Because Judson ISD serves both cities in different measures, families weighing the two should compare specific zoned campuses directly rather than assuming one city’s schools are categorically stronger than the other’s.
Commute and daily life
Universal City sits directly against Randolph AFB, and most of its neighborhoods offer commutes to the main gate of five to ten minutes, among the shortest in the region. Converse sits a bit further from the base itself but still within easy reach via FM 78 and FM 1976, and it makes up ground with a marginally lower cost of living and a bit more room to find new construction. Both cities lean heavily on car-dependent daily errands, with Converse’s retail anchored around Walmart and H-E-B and Universal City’s around The Forum shopping center.
The bottom line
Choose Universal City if the shortest possible commute to Randolph AFB is your top priority, you want an established neighborhood with mature landscaping, and you are comfortable with a housing stock rooted mostly in the 1960s and 70s. Choose Converse if affordability and a bit more new-construction inventory matter most, you are comfortable with a commute that is still short but not quite as short as Universal City’s, and you want a larger city with more room to keep growing over the next several years.
FAQ's
Is Converse or Universal City more affordable?
Converse tends to be more affordable, with a median sale price around $250,000 to $270,000 compared with Universal City’s median near $300,000.
Which is closer to Randolph AFB, Converse or Universal City?
Universal City sits directly against the base with commutes often under ten minutes, while Converse is a bit further out but still within easy reach via FM 78 and FM 1976.
Do Converse and Universal City share a school district?
Partially. Judson ISD serves all of Converse and part of Universal City, while the rest of Universal City falls under Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, so always confirm the assigned campuses for a specific address.
Which has more new construction, Converse or Universal City?
Converse has more active new-home construction, particularly around the Rocket Lane corridor, while Universal City is largely built out with limited new-construction inventory.
Which city is bigger, Converse or Universal City?
Converse is the larger of the two, with an estimated 30,000 to 31,400 residents compared with Universal City’s 19,720 as of the 2020 census.
Still Deciding Between Seguin and New Braunfels?
Sometimes the only way to settle it is to see homes in both cities and feel the difference. Sheldon Brown works throughout the communities surrounding Randolph AFB and can show you the best of Converse and Universal City side by side. Get in touch to compare your options and find the community that fits your budget and lifestyle.