Moving from Albuquerque, NM to San Antonio, TX
The drive from Albuquerque, NM to San Antonio, TX runs 702 mi — about 12h 31m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
702 mi · 12h 31m by car · TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, I 40, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Albuquerque (95.546) and San Antonio (94.716) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in San Antonio: 0.9% below Albuquerque on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Albuquerque | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 34.0" |
Climate warms by 12.3°F on the annual average — 56.7°F → 69.0°F.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.66 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 New Mexico 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 94°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 (12.3°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 far is San Antonio, TX from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 702 mi and the route typically takes 12h 31m via US 84 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 0.9% lower than Albuquerque (94.716 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $65,604 in Albuquerque — a 4.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $344,457 in Albuquerque — a 27.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque 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 702 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM · San Antonio, TX.