Moving from College Station, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 173 mi drive, roughly 3h 27m, between College Station, 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.
173 mi · 3h 27m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 21, I 35, TX 47 |
| Major cities en route | Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
College Station and San Antonio sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $349,041 in College Station to $249,810 in San Antonio, a 4.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | College Station | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 34.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 69.4°F vs 69.0°F 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: COLLEGE STN, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 4.1% more than College Station at the median — $51,776 → $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 much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $349,041 in College Station — a 28.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from College Station 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 173 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in College Station vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $51,776 in College Station — a 21.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Antonio more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 4.1% higher than College Station (94.716 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 173 mi and the route typically takes 3h 27m via TX 21 and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 128,840 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX · San Antonio, TX.