Moving from Baltimore, MD to San Antonio, TX
It is 1640 mi and 29h 33m from Baltimore to San Antonio β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1640 mi Β· 29h 33m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β MD
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β MD |
|---|---|
| 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
| Baltimore | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.487 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 110.215 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.353 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 118.194 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.4% cheaper overall in San Antonio than Baltimore on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Baltimore -1.1%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Baltimore | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.7" | 34.0" |
Expect 9.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE, MD US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Baltimore | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $59,623 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.3 | 2.66 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.4% higher in San Antonio than Baltimore.
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 Maryland 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
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 94Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Baltimore?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $188,101 in Baltimore β a 32.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Baltimore vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $59,623 in Baltimore β a 5.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Baltimore, MD?
The driving distance is 1640 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Baltimore?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 9.4% lower than Baltimore (94.716 vs 104.487, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Baltimore to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1640 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Baltimore?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $54,140 in the Baltimore MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 1,304,310 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 Baltimore.
City profiles: Baltimore, MD Β· San Antonio, TX.