Moving from Philadelphia, PA to San Antonio, TX
A 1745 mi cross-country move between Philadelphia and San Antonio is 31h 43m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1745 mi · 31h 43m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.6% moving from Philadelphia to San Antonio — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in San Antonio run about 7.6% pricier — ZHVI $231,815 → $249,810 (2026-03).
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 34.0" |
Annual temperature rises 11.3°F moving to San Antonio per NOAA normals.
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 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.66 |
Household income lines up — $60,698 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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3°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
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (11.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 50.7 in.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 1745 mi and the route typically takes 31h 43m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia 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 1745 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 3.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 7.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 7.6% lower than Philadelphia (94.716 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · San Antonio, TX.