Moving from Seattle, WA to San Antonio, TX
A 2120 mi cross-country move between Seattle and San Antonio is 39h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
2120 mi · 39h 1m by car · TX → NM → CO → UT → ID → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO → UT → ID → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 84, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 14.8% cheaper overall in San Antonio than Seattle on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.8°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.66 |
San Antonio households earn about 14.8% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $62,917 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Antonio average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 71.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 53.2°F in Seattle (15.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 37.8 in.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 14.8% lower than Seattle (94.716 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 48.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2120 mi and the route typically takes 39h 1m via I 84 and US 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2120 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · San Antonio, TX.