Moving from Plano, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 298 mi drive, roughly 5h 27m, between Plano, 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.
298 mi Β· 5h 27m 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
| Plano | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.1% moving from Plano to San Antonio β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $498,989 in Plano to $249,810 in San Antonio, a 8.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Plano -5.3%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Plano | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 34.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 69.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Plano | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $108,649 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 39.3 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 8.1% less than Plano at the median β $108,649 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
Is San Antonio more expensive than Plano?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 8.1% lower than Plano (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 Plano, TX?
The driving distance is 298 mi and the route typically takes 5h 27m 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 Plano?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $498,989 in Plano β a 49.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Plano vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $108,649 in Plano β a 42.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Plano?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $48,440 in the Plano 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 Plano 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 298 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Plano.
City profiles: Plano, TX Β· San Antonio, TX.