Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to San Antonio, TX
The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to San Antonio, TX runs 1124 mi β about 19h 60m 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.
1124 mi Β· 19h 60m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 88.963 in Cedar Rapids to 94.716 in San Antonio, a 6.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in San Antonio: 6.5% above Cedar Rapids on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 34.0" |
Major climate step-up: 20.7Β°F warmer annual average in San Antonio vs Cedar Rapids.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.66 |
Income steps down 6.5%: $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $62,917 in San Antonio.
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 Iowa 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.7Β°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 much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 22.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 6.5% higher than Cedar Rapids (94.716 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids 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 1124 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 Cedar Rapids vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 7.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1124 mi and the route typically takes 19h 60m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 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 Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· San Antonio, TX.