Moving from Allentown, PA to San Antonio, TX
Cross-country relocations like Allentown, PA → San Antonio, TX cover 1735 mi and about 31h 22m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1735 mi · 31h 22m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 99.968 to 94.716, putting San Antonio roughly 5.3% below Allentown on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: San Antonio ZHVI at $249,810 is 5.3% below Allentown at $309,699.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 34.0" |
Major climate step-up: 15.9°F warmer annual average in San Antonio vs Allentown.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.66 |
Income steps up 5.3%: $53,403 in Allentown vs $62,917 in San Antonio.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Antonio average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Allentown and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 53.1°F in Allentown (15.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 47.4 in.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1735 mi and the route typically takes 31h 22m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 5.3% lower than Allentown (94.716 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 17.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 19.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1735 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · San Antonio, TX.