Moving from San Antonio, TX to Clearwater, FL
Relocating 1146 mi from San Antonio to Clearwater is a 21h 44m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1146 mi Β· 21h 44m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.5% above San Antonio β 94.716 β 100.89 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 53.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.35 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 Clearwater average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Clearwater averages 53.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 2.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clearwater, FL from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1146 mi and the route typically takes 21h 44m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 35.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clearwater more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 6.5% higher than San Antonio (100.89 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1146 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· Clearwater, FL.