Moving from El Paso, TX to McAllen, TX
Relocating 792 mi from El Paso to McAllen is a 13h 21m drive through 1 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
792 mi · 13h 21m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 281, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from El Paso to McAllen — $234,775 vs $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 18.7" |
Expect 9.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.98 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McAllen average 98°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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in McAllen compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 4.5% lower than El Paso (85.895 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 66.2°F in El Paso (9.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 8.8 in.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 2.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 792 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 2.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 792 mi and the route typically takes 13h 21m via I 10 and US 281. The trip crosses 1 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · McAllen, TX.