Moving from Cape Coral, FL to McAllen, TX
It is 1447 mi between Cape Coral and McAllen β roughly 26h 45m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1447 mi Β· 26h 45m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa, Lakeland, Clearwater, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.1% moving from Cape Coral to McAllen β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $338,302 in Cape Coral to $229,001 in McAllen, a 16.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 18.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.4Β°F vs 75.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 16.1% less than Cape Coral at the median β $76,062 β $60,165 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McAllen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 49,560 | $22,940 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 42,390 | $22,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,950 | $34,890 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 28,370 | $58,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,190 | $23,220 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McAllen average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 household income compare in Cape Coral vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 20.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.1% lower than Cape Coral (85.895 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 32.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1447 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 1447 mi and the route typically takes 26h 45m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· McAllen, TX.