Moving from St. Paul, MN to San Antonio, TX
The drive from St. Paul, MN to San Antonio, TX runs 1253 mi β about 22h 9m 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.
1253 mi Β· 22h 9m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| 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
| St. Paul | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in San Antonio are 9.6% below St. Paul β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 34.0" |
NOAA normals show San Antonio running 22.5Β°F above St. Paul on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Antonio sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.66 |
Income steps down 9.6%: $73,055 in St. Paul vs $62,917 in San Antonio.
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 Minnesota 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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 94Β°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 (22.5Β°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 far is San Antonio, TX from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1253 mi and the route typically takes 22h 9m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Antonio more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 9.6% lower than St. Paul (94.716 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· San Antonio, TX.