Moving from San Antonio, TX to Alexandria, VA
A 1604 mi cross-country move between San Antonio and Alexandria is 28h 48m 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.
1604 mi · 28h 48m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.0% above San Antonio — 94.716 → 108.884 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 41.8" |
Annual temperature drops 9.7°F moving to Alexandria per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.7 in of snowfall annually at Alexandria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.08 |
Alexandria households earn about 15.0% more than San Antonio at the median — $62,917 → $113,638 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1604 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (9.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 34.0 in.
How far is Alexandria, VA from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1604 mi and the route typically takes 28h 48m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Alexandria more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 15.0% higher than San Antonio (108.884 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 80.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 170.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Alexandria, VA.