Moving from San Antonio, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating between San Antonio, TX and Houston, TX is a 196 mi drive — 3h 33m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
196 mi · 3h 33m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 90, I 10 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 94.716 vs 98.629 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 4.1% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in San Antonio (69.0°F) and Houston (70.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.51 |
Median household incomes in San Antonio ($62,917) and Houston ($62,894) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 196 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.1% higher than San Antonio (98.629 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 34.0 in.
How far is Houston, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 196 mi and the route typically takes 3h 33m via I 10 and US 90. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 5.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Houston, TX.