Moving from Killeen, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 145 mi drive, roughly 2h 46m, between Killeen, 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.
145 mi · 2h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, TX 195, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.9% above Killeen — $219,957 → $249,810 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 34.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 30 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.66 |
Households in San Antonio earn about 3.9% more at the median — 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.
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 does the job market in San Antonio compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 66.6°F in Killeen (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 34.8 in.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 13.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 145 mi and the route typically takes 2h 46m via I 35 and TX 195. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 3.9% higher than Killeen (94.716 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Killeen 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 145 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 7.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · San Antonio, TX.