Moving from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
It is 1681 mi and 29h 8m from San Antonio to San Jose — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1681 mi · 29h 8m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
San Jose runs about 16.6% more expensive overall than San Antonio — RPP 94.716 → 110.423.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $249,810 in San Antonio to $1,463,614 in San Jose, a 16.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 16.1" |
Expect 7.5°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Jose sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.03 |
Expect median household income to rise 16.6% — $62,917 → $141,565 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is San Jose more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 16.6% higher than San Antonio (110.423 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 125.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and San Jose?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.5°F in San Jose vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (7.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 16.1 in vs 34.0 in.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 485.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1681 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Jose, CA from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1681 mi and the route typically takes 29h 8m via I 10 and US 87. 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 · San Jose, CA.