Moving from Centennial, CO to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1156 mi from Centennial to McAllen is a 20h 45m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1156 mi Β· 20h 45m by car Β· TX β NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, US 281, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Pueblo, Colorado Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Centennial at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $649,086 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 18.7" |
Expect 25.3Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.8% β $128,167 β $60,165 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Colorado 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.3Β°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 does the job market in McAllen compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 18.8% lower than Centennial (85.895 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 53.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 64.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1156 mi and the route typically takes 20h 45m via US 87 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1156 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· McAllen, TX.