Moving from Denton, TX to San Antonio, TX
Relocating between Denton, TX and San Antonio, TX is a 304 mi drive β 5h 31m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
304 mi Β· 5h 31m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35W |
| 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
| Denton | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.1% cheaper overall in San Antonio than Denton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 34.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.66 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.1% lower in San Antonio than Denton.
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 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.
- 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 Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Denton 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 304 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 8.1% lower than Denton (94.716 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 304 mi and the route typically takes 5h 31m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $354,135 in Denton β a 29.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denton vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $73,719 in Denton β a 14.7% lower 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 Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· San Antonio, TX.