Moving from Houston, TX to McAllen, TX
The 349 mi from Houston to McAllen translate to about 6h 45m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
349 mi · 6h 45m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.629 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 12.9% below Houston on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: McAllen ZHVI at $229,001 is 12.9% below Houston at $264,336.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 18.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 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
What is the climate difference between Houston and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 70.6°F in Houston (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 54.1 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $264,336 in Houston — a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 349 mi and the route typically takes 6h 45m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 349 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Houston vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $62,894 in Houston — a 4.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.9% lower than Houston (85.895 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · McAllen, TX.