Moving from California to San Antonio, TX: Movers and Cost

Quick Answer: The average cost to move from California to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,172 to $7,724. Moving costs will vary based on the amount of stuff being moved, the time of year, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Moving out of state can feel overwhelming. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know for your move to San Antonio, TX. But just in case you’re short on time, here are a few quick resources to get immediate answers.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from San Antonio, TX to California guide.

Okay, let’s talk about moving costs.

How much does it cost to move from California to San Antonio, TX?

The table below lays out average cost ranges for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Size of the Move Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,408 - $5,552 $1,175 - $2,892 $1,084 - $2,080
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,418 - $7,724 $2,099 - $4,265 $1,172 - $2,474
4+ bedrooms $6,101 - $10,958 $2,858 - $5,701 $1,477 - $3,024

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,571 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from California to San Antonio, TX will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

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Who Are The Best California to San Antonio, TX Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company Quote Rating Price
Safeway Moving
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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American Van Lines
American Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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International Van Lines
International Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to San Antonio, TX?

To ship furniture from California to San Antonio with a mover will cost between $1,408 to $5,552. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from San Antonio to TX will range from $3,418 to $7,724, and a large move from California to San Antonio will cost from $6,101 to $10,958.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to San Antonio, TX?

Moving pods from California to San Antonio will cost you $1,175 to $2,892 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,099 to $4,265. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,858 to $5,701.

How much is a moving truck from California to San Antonio, TX?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,084 to $2,080. A larger move will cost $1,172 to $2,474, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to San Antonio costs from $1,477 to $3,024.

How to ship a car from California to San Antonio, TX?

To ship your car on this route, find a reliable California to San Antonio car shipping company. Compare quotes and services, and prepare your car for shipping by cleaning it and removing personal items. Stay in communication with the car shipping company and inspect your car upon delivery.

Is moving from California to San Antonio, TX a good idea?

Cost of Living: California vs San Antonio, TX

California San Antonio
Average rent cost $1,503 $1,083
Average home value $758,360 $248,346
Average income (per capita) $78,672 $56,076
Unemployment rate 5.8% 3.7%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 28% less expensive in San Antonio than in California.
  • Home prices are about 67.3% lower in San Antonio than in California.
  • The average income is about 28.7% lower in San Antonio than in California.
  • San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 36.2%.
  • Income taxes are 100.00% lower in San Antonio than in California.

How is life different in San Antonio from California?

San Antonio California
Population 1,434,625 39,237,836
Political leaning Democrat 58-40 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 96ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 41ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 33" 22"
Annual Snow 0" 7"
Crime Index 47.99 25.7
  • The population of San Antonio is approximately 96% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, San Antonio voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in San Antonio is 96ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, San Antonio reaches the temperature of 41ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 33 inches of annual rainfall in San Antonio vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In San Antonio, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • San Antonio has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 47.99 vs 25.7.

Considerations for moving to San Antonio, TX

  • Weather: San Antonio has mild winters and hot summers, the rainiest months are typically May, June, and October so your move may be affected in these months..
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State Licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Texas. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Meathead Movers Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722
+15597850316
Courtesy Movers Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
3515 North Sabre Drive, Fresno, CA, 93727
+15594023800
Grace Moving Company Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351
+12095517772

Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Comparing the pros of California vs. San Antonio, TX:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs San Antonio side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in San Antonio, TX
Ample economic opportunity Diversity
Pleasant weather Sight-seeing
Abundant recreational options Friendly people
High quality of life Sunshine
Fresh and healthy foods San Antonio River Walk

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. San Antonio, TX:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for San Antonio.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in San Antonio, TX
High cost of living Abundant stray pets
Heavy tax burdens Brutal summers
Natural disasters Terrible traffic
Terrible traffic Urban pollution
Strange laws High crime rate

Need a local San Antonio mover?

Company Quote Rating Contact
3 Men Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
302 Casa Blanca St, San Antonio, TX, 78215
(210) 337-6683
Swift Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
1316 Austin St,, San Antonio, TX, 78208
(210) 371-5766

Visit our Best Movers in San Antonio page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in San Antonio?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in San Antonio.

Museums in San Antonio

  • The Alamo
  • Witte Museum
  • The DoSeum - San Antonio's Museum for Kids
  • Briscoe Western Art Museum
  • McNay Art Museum
  • The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum
  • San Antonio Museum of Art
  • Battle For Texas: The Experience
  • Institute of Texan Cultures
  • San Antonio Fire Museum

Parks in San Antonio

  • Brackenridge Park
  • Phil Hardberger park
  • Japanese Tea Garden
  • Mercado O'liva
  • McAllister Park
  • Concepcion Park
  • San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory
  • Camanche Lookout Park
  • Woodlawn Lake Park

Sports Teams in San Antonio

  • UTSA Roadrunners American football
  • San Antonio Spurs Basketball
  • San Antonio Missions
  • San Antonio FC

Universities in San Antonio

  • UT Health San Antonio
  • University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Texas A&M University–San Antonio
  • Alamo Community College District
  • Trinity University
  • St. Mary's University
  • Our Lady of the Lake University
  • University of the Incarnate Word
  • Webster University
  • Baptist University of the Américas
  • Hallmark University
  • Oblate School of Theology
  • Southwest School of Art

Where to move to in San Antonio, TX?

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Alamo City," these are the best neighborhoods in San Antonio to move to.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Alamo Heights
  • Downtown
  • Tobin Hill
  • Monte Vista

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Alamo Heights
  • Great Northwest
  • Northwest Crossing
  • Oak Park-Northwood
  • Terrell Hills

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