Moving from Abilene, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 255 mi drive, roughly 4h 36m, between Abilene, 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.
255 mi · 4h 36m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, I 10, US 87 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.364 vs 94.716 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.8% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Abilene (65.9°F) and San Antonio (69.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.66 |
Median household incomes in Abilene ($62,720) and San Antonio ($62,917) are within a few percent (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
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 255 mi and the route typically takes 4h 36m via US 83 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 4.8% higher than Abilene (94.716 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Abilene 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 255 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 65.9°F in Abilene (3.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 25.2 in.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 18.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 0.3% 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 Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · San Antonio, TX.