Moving from San Antonio, TX to Glendale, AZ
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Glendale, AZ runs 987 mi — about 16h 33m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
987 mi · 16h 33m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 85 |
| 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
| San Antonio | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.1% pricier overall in Glendale than San Antonio on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Glendale typical home at $407,332 is 9.1% above San Antonio at $249,810 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 8.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 69.0°F vs 71.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Glendale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.88 |
Income steps up 9.1%: $62,917 in San Antonio vs $70,139 in Glendale.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 63.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 987 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Glendale more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.1% higher than San Antonio (103.316 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 Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 11.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 34.0 in.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Glendale, AZ from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 987 mi and the route typically takes 16h 33m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Glendale, AZ.