Moving from McKinney, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 309 mi drive, roughly 5h 38m, between McKinney, TX and San Antonio, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
309 mi Β· 5h 38m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | 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 McKinney 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: McKinney -6.9%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 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: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 8.1% less than McKinney at the median β $120,273 β $62,917 on 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.
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 far is San Antonio, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 309 mi and the route typically takes 5h 38m 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 McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 48.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McKinney 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 309 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 McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 8.1% lower than McKinney (94.716 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 47.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· San Antonio, TX.