Moving from Laredo, TX to McAllen, TX
Relocating between Laredo, TX and McAllen, TX is a 149 mi drive — 3h 1m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
149 mi · 3h 1m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, FM 2220, TX 495 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 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 Laredo to McAllen — $220,331 vs $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 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: LAREDO 2, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 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
When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 149 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 4.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 3.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 149 mi and the route typically takes 3h 1m via US 83 and FM 2220. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 1.2% lower than Laredo (85.895 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Laredo and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 75.0°F in Laredo (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 19.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · McAllen, TX.