Moving from Waco, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 183 mi drive, roughly 3h 28m, between Waco, TX and San Antonio, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
183 mi · 3h 28m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 410 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 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: WACO DAM, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 2.3% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $194,245 in Waco — a 28.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Waco and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 66.6°F in Waco (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 37.5 in.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 2.3% higher than Waco (94.716 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 28m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Waco vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $51,468 in Waco — a 22.2% higher 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · San Antonio, TX.