Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to San Antonio, TX
A move from Tuscaloosa, AL to San Antonio, TX covers 816 mi and around 14h 55m of driving through 4 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.
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
| Tuscaloosa | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Antonio is 8.0% higher than Tuscaloosa, 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 8.0% above Tuscaloosa ($249,810 vs $228,947 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) and San Antonio (69.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.66 |
Median household income in San Antonio is 8.0% above Tuscaloosa ($48,536 vs $62,917, ACS 5-year 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 Alabama 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.
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.
- 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 Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 9.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
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 Tuscaloosa 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 816 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 Tuscaloosa vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 29.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 8.0% higher than Tuscaloosa (94.716 vs 87.722, 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· San Antonio, TX.