Moving from McAllen, TX to Beaumont, TX
It is a 434 mi drive, roughly 8h 26m, between McAllen, TX and Beaumont, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
434 mi · 8h 26m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, I 69C, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Houston, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Beaumont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 90.046 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 83.098 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 70.939 | 100.0 |
McAllen and Beaumont 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
Zillow ZHVI drops from $229,001 in McAllen to $166,671 in Beaumont, a 4.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Beaumont +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Beaumont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 65.1" |
Annual temperature drops 6.0°F moving to Beaumont per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Beaumont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, BEAUMONT CITY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Beaumont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 113,710 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $57,530 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.53 |
Household income lines up — $60,165 vs $57,530 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Beaumont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,280 | $38,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,980 | $27,000 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 13,530 | $50,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,850 | $37,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,740 | $31,290 |
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 Beaumont average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Beaumont averages 65.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 McAllen to Beaumont?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 434 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Beaumont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,530 in Beaumont vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 4.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Beaumont more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Beaumont is 4.8% higher than McAllen (90.046 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Beaumont compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,300 in the Beaumont MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 155,500 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Beaumont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.5°F in Beaumont vs 75.5°F in McAllen (6.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 65.1 in vs 18.7 in.
How far is Beaumont, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 434 mi and the route typically takes 8h 26m via US 59 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Beaumont compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $166,671 in Beaumont vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 27.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Beaumont, TX.