Moving from Durham, NC to San Antonio, TX
It is 1373 mi between Durham and San Antonio β roughly 25h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1373 mi Β· 25h 21m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 85, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 34.0" |
Annual temperature rises 10.6Β°F moving to San Antonio per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 2.9% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 β $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.
Moving between North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°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
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $396,395 in Durham β a 37.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Durham vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $79,234 in Durham β a 20.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 2.9% lower than Durham (94.716 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 1373 mi and the route typically takes 25h 21m via I 10 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Durham 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 1373 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 Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 336,100 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· San Antonio, TX.