Moving from Fort Worth, TX to McAllen, TX
The drive from Fort Worth, TX to McAllen, TX runs 517 mi β about 9h 2m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
517 mi Β· 9h 2m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, US 287 BUS, TX 130 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Carrollton, Lewisville, Irving, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
McAllen is 16.7% cheaper than Fort Worth overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 16.7% below Fort Worth β $298,051 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 8.0Β°F on the annual average β 67.5Β°F β 75.5Β°F.
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: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.7% between Fort Worth and McAllen (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.
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.
Frequently asked
Is McAllen more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than Fort Worth (85.895 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 517 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 23.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 9h 2m via US 281 and US 287 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 21.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· McAllen, TX.