Moving from Kansas City, MO to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1064 mi from Kansas City to McAllen is a 18h 23m drive through 4 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.
1064 mi · 18h 23m by car · MO → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, 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 |
Expect about 7.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Kansas City at 92.543.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 7.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, 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" |
Expect 18.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
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 | 508,233 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.2% lower in McAllen than Kansas City.
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 Missouri 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
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.
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 1064 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is McAllen, TX from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 1064 mi and the route typically takes 18h 23m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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 $250,208 in Kansas City — a 8.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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.
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 $67,449 in Kansas City — a 10.8% lower 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO · McAllen, TX.