Moving from Pasadena, TX to San Antonio, TX
Moving from Pasadena, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 217 mi and about 3h 60m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
217 mi Β· 3h 60m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Pasadena (98.629) and San Antonio (94.716) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: San Antonio at $249,810 is 4.0% above Pasadena at $217,449.
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 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: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.66 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 217 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 Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 4.0% lower than Pasadena (94.716 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 2.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 14.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 217 mi and the route typically takes 3h 60m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 1 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, TX Β· San Antonio, TX.