Moving from Austin, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 85 mi drive, roughly 1h 40m, between Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
85 mi · 1h 40m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 410, LOOP 1 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.066 vs 94.716 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $508,530 to $249,810 moving to San Antonio.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Austin (70.0°F) and San Antonio (69.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 3.4% less than Austin at the median — $91,461 → $62,917 on ACS 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 85 mi and the route typically takes 1h 40m via I 35 and I 410. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 85 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $508,530 in Austin — a 50.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 3.4% lower than Austin (94.716 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Austin and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 70.0°F in Austin (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 36.3 in.
How does household income compare in Austin vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $91,461 in Austin — a 31.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · San Antonio, TX.