Moving from San Antonio, TX to Topeka, KS
It is 756 mi between San Antonio and Topeka β roughly 13h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
756 mi Β· 13h 12m by car Β· TX β OK β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.2% cheaper overall in Topeka than San Antonio on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 37.3" |
Annual temperature drops 14.1Β°F moving to Topeka per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.32 |
Households in Topeka earn about 6.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 23.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Topeka, KS from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 756 mi and the route typically takes 13h 12m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 11.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Topeka compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Topeka more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 6.2% lower than San Antonio (88.82 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 Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 756 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· Topeka, KS.