Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to San Antonio, TX
Relocating 1448 mi from Ann Arbor to San Antonio is a 25h 45m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1448 mi · 25h 45m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.1% moving from Ann Arbor to San Antonio — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $523,391 in Ann Arbor to $249,810 in San Antonio, a 6.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperature jumps 20.8°F — 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 69.0°F in San Antonio, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Antonio sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.1% — $81,089 → $62,917 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Michigan 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
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 (20.8°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
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor 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 1448 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (20.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 37.9 in.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1448 mi and the route typically takes 25h 45m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 22.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 6.1% lower than Ann Arbor (94.716 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · San Antonio, TX.