Moving from New Orleans, LA to San Antonio, TX
It is 555 mi between New Orleans and San Antonio — roughly 10h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
555 mi · 10h 19m by car · TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, US 90 |
| 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
| New Orleans | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.597 vs 94.716 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $242,493 vs $249,810.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperatures in New Orleans (70.9°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: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.66 |
Households in San Antonio earn about 2.3% 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.
Moving between Louisiana 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.
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 far is San Antonio, TX from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 555 mi and the route typically takes 10h 19m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 60.1 in.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans 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 555 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 3.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 2.3% higher than New Orleans (94.716 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 13.7% 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 New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · San Antonio, TX.