Moving from Milwaukee, WI to San Antonio, TX
It is 1284 mi between Milwaukee and San Antonio — roughly 23h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1284 mi · 23h 41m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL → WI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL → WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, I 35 |
| 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
| Milwaukee | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Milwaukee and San Antonio sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in San Antonio run about 2.3% pricier — ZHVI $220,137 → $249,810 (2026-03).
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperature jumps 20.7°F — 48.3°F in Milwaukee vs 69.0°F in San Antonio, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Antonio sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 2.3% more than Milwaukee at the median — $51,888 → $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.
Moving between Wisconsin 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 (20.7°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
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (20.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 33.8 in.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 21.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 13.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 2.3% lower than Milwaukee (94.716 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 1284 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 1284 mi and the route typically takes 23h 41m via I 44 and US 69. 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 Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · San Antonio, TX.