Moving from San Antonio, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL runs 816 mi β about 14h 55m 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.
816 mi Β· 14h 55m 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, I 59, TX 130 |
| 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 | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tuscaloosa are 7.4% 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
Zillow typical home value is 7.4% lower in Tuscaloosa than San Antonio as of 2026-03.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 57.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.0Β°F vs 64.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.4% between San Antonio and Tuscaloosa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
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 Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 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 much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 8.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 22.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 816 mi and the route typically takes 14h 55m via I 10 and I 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 816 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 7.4% lower than San Antonio (87.722 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.