Moving from Kansas City, KS to McAllen, TX
It is 1055 mi between Kansas City and McAllen — roughly 18h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1055 mi · 18h 11m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.2% moving from Kansas City to McAllen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in McAllen run about 7.2% pricier — ZHVI $198,195 → $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 18.6°F — 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 75.5°F in McAllen, per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.98 |
Household income lines up — $59,183 vs $60,165 on ACS 5-year 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 Kansas 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.6°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 much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 15.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 1055 mi and the route typically takes 18h 11m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 1055 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 1.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 7.2% lower than Kansas City (85.895 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (18.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 38.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · McAllen, TX.