Moving from Little Rock, AR to McAllen, TX
It is 833 mi between Little Rock and McAllen — roughly 14h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
833 mi · 14h 29m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 281, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Garland, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Little Rock and McAllen sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in McAllen run about 3.9% pricier — ZHVI $216,519 → $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 13.8°F moving to McAllen per NOAA 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: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.98 |
Household income lines up — $60,583 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 Arkansas 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 (13.8°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 does the job market in McAllen compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 0.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 5.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock 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 833 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (13.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 50.4 in.
Is McAllen more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 3.9% lower than Little Rock (85.895 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 833 mi and the route typically takes 14h 29m via I 30 and US 281. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · McAllen, TX.