Moving from San Antonio, TX to Brownsville, TX
Moving from San Antonio, TX to Brownsville, TX covers 278 mi and about 5h by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
278 mi · 5h by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 37, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Mcallen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Brownsville is 9.2% cheaper than San Antonio overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Brownsville is 9.2% below San Antonio — $249,810 vs $195,993 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | — |
Brownsville runs 5.4°F warmer on the annual average (69.0°F vs 74.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.21 |
Median household income in Brownsville is 9.2% below San Antonio ($62,917 vs $48,675, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92°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
How far is Brownsville, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 278 mi and the route typically takes 5h via US 77 and I 37. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 278 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brownsville more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 9.2% lower than San Antonio (85.975 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 21.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 22.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Brownsville, TX.