Moving from San Antonio, TX to Jersey City, NJ
A 1818 mi cross-country move between San Antonio and Jersey City is 32h 59m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1818 mi · 32h 59m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 18.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $249,810 to $658,269 moving to Jersey City.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 14.2°F moving to Jersey City per NOAA normals.
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.35 |
Jersey City households earn about 18.8% more than San Antonio at the median — $62,917 → $94,813 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Jersey City averages 28.2 in annually vs 0.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 163.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Jersey City more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 18.8% higher than San Antonio (112.563 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 Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1818 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 50.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1818 mi and the route typically takes 32h 59m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (14.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 34.0 in.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 · Jersey City, NJ.