Moving from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX is a 1732 mi cross-country relocation — about 29h 56m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1732 mi · 29h 56m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| 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
| Sacramento | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in San Antonio are 11.2% below Sacramento — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Antonio typical home at $249,810 is 11.2% under Sacramento at $479,766 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 34.0" |
San Antonio runs 5.6°F warmer on the annual average (63.4°F vs 69.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.66 |
Median household income in San Antonio is 11.2% below Sacramento ($83,753 vs $62,917, 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 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 Sacramento 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 1732 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 11.2% lower than Sacramento (94.716 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 24.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 47.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 19.2 in.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 1732 mi and the route typically takes 29h 56m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · San Antonio, TX.