Moving from Lowell, MA to San Antonio, TX
Cross-country relocations like Lowell, MA β San Antonio, TX cover 2038 mi and about 37h 39m of driving through 10 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.
2038 mi Β· 37h 39m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
San Antonio is 12.5% cheaper than Lowell overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Antonio is 12.5% below Lowell β $480,319 vs $249,810 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 34.0" |
San Antonio runs 20.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.0Β°F vs 69.0Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.66 |
Income steps down 12.5%: $76,205 in Lowell 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 Massachusetts 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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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 (20.0Β°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 Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 48.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 2038 mi and the route typically takes 37h 39m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lowell 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 2038 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 12.5% lower than Lowell (94.716 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 17.4% lower 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 Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· San Antonio, TX.