Moving from San Antonio, TX to College Station, TX
It is a 173 mi drive, roughly 3h 27m, between San Antonio, TX and College Station, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
173 mi · 3h 27m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 21, I 35, TX 47 |
| Major cities en route | Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 94.716 vs 90.951 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $249,810 to $349,041 moving to College Station.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperatures in San Antonio (69.0°F) and College Station (69.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.74 |
Households in College Station earn about 4.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
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 College Station average 95°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 College Station, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 173 mi and the route typically takes 3h 27m via TX 21 and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in College Station compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 39.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 173 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is College Station more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 4.0% lower than San Antonio (90.951 vs 94.716, 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · College Station, TX.