Moving from San Antonio, TX to Mesquite, TX
Moving from San Antonio, TX to Mesquite, TX covers 282 mi and about 5h 8m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
282 mi · 5h 8m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Mesquite is 8.8% higher than San Antonio, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in San Antonio and Mesquite are within 5% of each other ($249,810 vs $262,121 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 40.9" |
Annual average temperatures in San Antonio (69.0°F) and Mesquite (66.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Mesquite is 8.8% above San Antonio ($62,917 → $71,843, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Mesquite average 96°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 much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 4.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 14.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Mesquite, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 282 mi and the route typically takes 5h 8m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Mesquite more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 8.8% higher than San Antonio (103.09 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 282 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Mesquite, TX.