Moving from Amarillo, TX to San Antonio, TX
A move from Amarillo, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 502 mi and around 8h 46m of driving through 1 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.
502 mi · 8h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, I 27, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Amarillo (91.82) 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 pricier in San Antonio: 3.2% above Amarillo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Amarillo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 34.0" |
San Antonio runs 12.1°F warmer on the annual average (56.9°F vs 69.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.1°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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Amarillo 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 502 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $62,469 in Amarillo — a 0.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $206,787 in Amarillo — a 20.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 3.2% higher than Amarillo (94.716 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 502 mi and the route typically takes 8h 46m via US 87 and I 27. The trip crosses 1 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 Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX · San Antonio, TX.