NC → TX · City of Oaks to Alamo City

Moving from Raleigh to San Antonio?

Raleigh to SA — NC 4.5% to TX 0% saves $4,500/yr, housing 24% cheaper — Duke/UNC/RTP → USAA + JBSA + Toyota + Methodist Healthcare + UT Health.

1,290 mi Distance
19 hr Drive time
24% lower Home prices
$4,500/yr Tax savings on $100K

The Story

Raleigh-to-SA is Duke/UNC/RTP → USAA + JBSA + Toyota move. NC 4.5% → TX 0% saves $4,500/yr. Housing 24% cheaper, COL 8% lower. Pull: USAA HQ (Fortune 100, Cerner bridge), JBSA military hub, Toyota San Antonio Plant, Methodist Healthcare, UT Health San Antonio.

Why This Move

Why people move from Raleigh to San Antonio.

USAA HQ — Fortune 100 financial services (Cerner data bridge)
JBSA — Joint Base San Antonio (largest joint military installation)
Toyota San Antonio Plant — manufacturing
Methodist Healthcare + UT Health San Antonio
Lackland AFB + Randolph AFB + Fort Sam Houston (military)
No state income tax (saves $4,500/yr)
Cheaper housing (24% less than Raleigh)
Tex-Mex food + River Walk + Spurs

Cost Comparison

The money side of NC → TX.

Raleigh

Median home$380,000
Income tax4.5% (NC flat)
Cost index100

San Antonio

Median home$290,000
Income taxNone (TX)
Cost index92

What to Do in San Antonio

Things you'll want to know about your new city.

Bookmark this page — these are the icons of San Antonio, organized by what kind of day you're planning.

Outdoors & Recreation

San Antonio River Walk — 15 miles of pedestrian path along river through downtown
Tower of the Americas — 750-foot HemisFair tower; observation deck
Brackenridge Park — 343-acre park with zoo, golf, museum

Culture & Arts

The Alamo — Mission/fortress where 1836 battle for Texas independence happened
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — 5 Spanish missions inc. the Alamo; UNESCO World Heritage
Mission San José — Largest of the missions; 'Queen of the Missions'

Family-Friendly

San Antonio Zoo — 56-acre zoo in Brackenridge Park
Six Flags Fiesta Texas — Theme park
SeaWorld San Antonio — Marine park with rides

Nightlife & Entertainment

Pearl District — Walkable redeveloped brewery district; food, hotels, shopping

Where to Eat

San Antonio's essential restaurants.

The dining list every San Antonio resident knows by heart. Save the spots, work through them.

Mixtli Modern Mexican tasting Olmos Park

James Beard nominated; regional Mexican tasting menu
Cured American Pearl District

James Beard nominated; charcuterie focus
Mi Tierra Cafe Tex-Mex Market Square

24-hour institution since 1941
Carriqui South Texas Pearl District

Tex-Mex / Hill Country regional
The Big Bib BBQ BBQ MacArthur Park

Top-tier brisket and ribs
El Mirador Tex-Mex King William

Beloved Mexican; sopa azteca
La Gloria Mexican street food Pearl District

Johnny Hernandez; antojitos
Bohanan's Prime Steaks Steakhouse Downtown

Classic SA steakhouse

Where to Live

Best San Antonio neighborhoods for Raleigh transplants.

Mapped to the Raleigh neighborhoods that probably feel like home to you.

Pearl District

If Glenwood South was your scene — walkable, restaurants, breweries
Southtown

If you wanted artsy — converted lofts, walkable
Olmos Park

If Five Points was your historic vibe — historic, affluent, walkable
Alamo Heights (suburb)

If Cary was your model — top schools, affluent
Stone Oak (suburb)

If Apex was your scene — master-planned, top schools
Terrell Hills

If you wanted historic charm — affluent, walkable

Climate & Walkability

What daily life feels like in San Antonio.

Climate

Humid subtropical. Hot summers (76-95°F+, June-Sept). Mild winters (40-65°F, rare freeze). Spring is glorious; fall extends into November. Tornado risk lower than central TX. 220 sun days/year.

Summer75-95°F
Winter40-64°F
Sun days/yr220
Rainfall32 inches

Walkability

Walk Score38/100
Transit Score30/100
Bike Score42/100

San Antonio is car-dependent — most errands require driving.

Outdoors & Recreation

San Antonio River Walk — 15 miles along river
Brackenridge Park — 343 acres in city
Hill Country (30 min north) — Boerne, Fredericksburg wine country
Government Canyon State Natural Area — hiking, dinosaur tracks
Mission Trail — bike path connecting all 5 missions
Canyon Lake (45 min N) — swimming, boating, lakeside dining

Reality Check

What changes about your daily life.

NC 4.5% becomes TX 0% — saves $4,500/year on $100K
Housing 24% cheaper — $380K Raleigh becomes $290K SA
COL 8% lower
Climate similar humid subtropical (SA hotter, drier summers)
Property tax TX 1.8% higher than NC 0.85%
Car-dependent both
Duke/UNC → USAA fintech + Methodist Healthcare bridge
Sports — gain Spurs, lose Hurricanes

Driving Routes

How to drive there.

I-40 W to I-30 W to I-35 S

1,290 miles via Memphis, Dallas. 19 hours / 2-3 days.

Move Logistics

What it takes to move 1,290 miles.

Full-service (3BR)$5,500-$10,000
Container/PODS$4,000-$6,800
DIY (26-ft truck)$2,800-$5,000
Best monthsOct-May (avoid summer SA heat)
Lead time6-8 weeks ahead

USDOT-registered.

Common Questions