Moving from Fresno, CA to San Antonio, TX
Cross-country relocations like Fresno, CA → San Antonio, TX cover 1569 mi and about 27h 1m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1569 mi · 27h 1m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
San Antonio is 7.3% cheaper than Fresno overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Antonio is 7.3% below Fresno — $391,328 vs $249,810 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fresno | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Fresno (65.0°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: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.66 |
Income steps down 7.3%: $66,804 in Fresno vs $62,917 in San Antonio.
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 California 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $391,328 in Fresno — a 36.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 7.3% lower than Fresno (94.716 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fresno vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $66,804 in Fresno — a 5.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fresno 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 1569 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 1569 mi and the route typically takes 27h 1m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fresno and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 65.0°F in Fresno (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 11.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA · San Antonio, TX.