Moving from Tampa, FL to San Antonio, TX
A move from Tampa, FL to San Antonio, TX covers 1178 mi and around 21h 24m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1178 mi · 21h 24m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, I 75 |
| 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
| Tampa | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in San Antonio are 6.1% below Tampa — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Antonio typical home at $249,810 is 6.1% under Tampa at $374,888 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 34.0" |
San Antonio is 5.5°F cooler on the annual average (74.5°F vs 69.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Antonio sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.66 |
Median household income in San Antonio is 6.1% below Tampa ($71,302 → $62,917, 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 Florida 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.
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
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 33.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 1178 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 74.5°F in Tampa (5.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 49.5 in.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 6.1% lower than Tampa (94.716 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 1178 mi and the route typically takes 21h 24m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 5 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 Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · San Antonio, TX.