Moving from Reno, NV to San Antonio, TX
A 1703 mi cross-country move between Reno and San Antonio is 30h 46m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1703 mi · 30h 46m by car · TX → NM → AZ → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.2% cheaper overall in San Antonio than Reno on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 34.0" |
Annual temperature rises 14.5°F moving to San Antonio per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.66 |
Households in San Antonio earn about 6.2% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Nevada 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
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 (14.5°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
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $567,857 in Reno — a 56.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Reno vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $78,448 in Reno — a 19.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Reno and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 54.5°F in Reno (14.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 8.1 in.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1703 mi and the route typically takes 30h 46m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Reno 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 1703 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 6.2% lower than Reno (94.716 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · San Antonio, TX.