Moving from Worcester, MA to San Antonio, TX
It is 1996 mi and 36h 49m from Worcester to San Antonio — a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1996 mi · 36h 49m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| 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
| Worcester | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has San Antonio at 94.716 vs Worcester at 102.523.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $430,112 to $249,810 moving to San Antonio.
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 34.0" |
Expect 20.9°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
San Antonio 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: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.6% lower in San Antonio than Worcester.
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 Massachusetts 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
- 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.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
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 (20.9°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
Is San Antonio more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 7.6% lower than Worcester (94.716 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 1996 mi and the route typically takes 36h 49m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 6.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Worcester and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 48.1°F in Worcester (20.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 72.9 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 48.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Worcester 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 1996 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 Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · San Antonio, TX.