Moving from Tacoma, WA to San Antonio, TX
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β San Antonio, TX cover 2133 mi and about 39h 19m of driving through 7 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.
2133 mi Β· 39h 19m by car Β· TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 84, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 94.716, putting San Antonio roughly 14.8% below Tacoma on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in San Antonio: 14.8% below Tacoma on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 34.0" |
Major climate step-up: 15.3Β°F warmer annual average in San Antonio vs Tacoma.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.8% between Tacoma 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 Washington 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 (15.3Β°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
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 49.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma 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 2133 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 Tacoma vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 25.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2133 mi and the route typically takes 39h 19m via I 84 and US 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 14.8% lower than Tacoma (94.716 vs 111.133, 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· San Antonio, TX.