Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to San Antonio, TX
It is 1380 mi between Santa Clarita and San Antonio — roughly 23h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1380 mi · 23h 34m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.6% cheaper overall in San Antonio than Santa Clarita on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 34.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 16.6% less than Santa Clarita at the median — $119,926 → $62,917 on 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 — 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Antonio average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is San Antonio more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 16.6% lower than Santa Clarita (94.716 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (3.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 16.8 in.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 1380 mi and the route typically takes 23h 34m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 68.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1380 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 47.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · San Antonio, TX.