Moving from San Mateo, CA to San Antonio, TX
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β San Antonio, TX 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 Mateo | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
San Antonio is 18.1% cheaper than San Mateo overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Antonio is 18.1% below San Mateo β $1,686,905 vs $249,810 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 34.0" |
Climate warms by 10.3Β°F on the annual average β 58.7Β°F β 69.0Β°F.
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.1% between San Mateo and San Antonio (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Antonio average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to San Antonio?
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 much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 85.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 18.1% lower than San Mateo (94.716 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 58.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Antonio, TX from San Mateo, CA?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· San Antonio, TX.