Moving from San Antonio, TX to Tempe, AZ
It is 970 mi between San Antonio and Tempe — roughly 16h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
970 mi · 16h 11m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 85 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $249,810 to $468,281 moving to Tempe.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in San Antonio (69.0°F) and Tempe (71.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tempe gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 9.1% more than San Antonio at the median — $62,917 → $77,643 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tempe compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 23.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 34.0 in.
How far is Tempe, AZ from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 970 mi and the route typically takes 16h 11m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tempe more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 9.1% higher than San Antonio (103.316 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 Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 970 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 87.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Tempe, AZ.