Moving from San Antonio, TX to Mobile, AL
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Mobile, AL runs 662 mi β about 12h 7m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
662 mi Β· 12h 7m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, I 12 |
| 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
| San Antonio | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Mobile are 7.0% below San Antonio β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Mobile typical home at $194,564 is 7.0% under San Antonio at $249,810 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 60.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.0Β°F vs 69.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.39 |
Income steps down 7.0%: $62,917 in San Antonio vs $51,090 in Mobile.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 18.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 662 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mobile more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 7.0% lower than San Antonio (88.098 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 22.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mobile, AL from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 662 mi and the route typically takes 12h 7m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· Mobile, AL.