Moving from San Antonio, TX to San Mateo, CA
Cross-country relocations like San Antonio, TX β San Mateo, CA cover 1715 mi and about 29h 47m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1715 mi Β· 29h 47m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β 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 Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 22.1% higher overall in San Mateo vs San Antonio on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in San Mateo: 22.1% above San Antonio on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 19.6" |
Climate cools by 10.3Β°F on the annual average β 69.0Β°F β 58.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.1% between San Antonio and San Mateo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 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.
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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 575.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Mateo, CA from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1715 mi and the route typically takes 29h 47m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1715 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 142.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Mateo more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 22.1% higher than San Antonio (115.613 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· San Mateo, CA.