Moving from Fargo, ND to San Antonio, TX
The drive from Fargo, ND to San Antonio, TX runs 1338 mi β about 23h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1338 mi Β· 23h 15m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 29, US 6 |
| 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
| Fargo | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
San Antonio and Fargo are close on the overall BEA RPP (90.871 vs 94.716); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Antonio typical home at $249,810 is 4.2% under Fargo at $314,973 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 34.0" |
NOAA normals show San Antonio running 27.6Β°F above Fargo on the annual mean.
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 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.66 |
Household income lines up β $66,029 vs $62,917 on ACS 5-year 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 Dakota 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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
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 (27.6Β°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 does household income compare in Fargo vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 4.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fargo 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 1338 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 Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 20.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 4.2% higher than Fargo (94.716 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1338 mi and the route typically takes 23h 15m via I 35 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· San Antonio, TX.