Moving from Palmdale, CA to San Antonio, TX
Relocating 1360 mi from Palmdale to San Antonio is a 23h 20m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1360 mi · 23h 20m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Expect about 16.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has San Antonio at 94.716 vs Palmdale at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $501,257 to $249,810 moving to San Antonio.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 34.0" |
Expect 5.4°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.6% — $81,151 → $62,917 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 1360 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 Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 16.6% lower than Palmdale (94.716 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1360 mi and the route typically takes 23h 20m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 50.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (5.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 7.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · San Antonio, TX.