Moving from Chicago, IL to San Antonio, TX
A move from Chicago, IL to San Antonio, TX covers 1238 mi and around 22h of driving through 4 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.
1238 mi Β· 22h by car Β· IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.595 to 94.716, putting San Antonio roughly 8.6% below Chicago on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in San Antonio: 8.6% below Chicago on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 34.0" |
Major climate step-up: 18.2Β°F warmer annual average in San Antonio vs Chicago.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.66 |
Median household income in San Antonio is 8.6% below Chicago ($75,134 β $62,917, 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.
Moving between Illinois 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 (18.2Β°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 Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1238 mi and the route typically takes 22h via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 21.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 16.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chicago 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 1238 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 8.6% lower than Chicago (94.716 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· San Antonio, TX.