Moving from McAllen, TX to College Station, TX
Moving from McAllen, TX to College Station, TX covers 379 mi and about 7h 25m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
379 mi · 7h 25m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, TX 21 |
| Major cities en route | Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 85.895 in McAllen to 90.951 in College Station, a 5.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in College Station: 5.9% above McAllen on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 41.8" |
College Station is 6.1°F cooler on the annual average (75.5°F vs 69.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 34 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.74 |
Median household income in College Station is 5.9% below McAllen ($60,165 → $51,776, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
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 College Station average 95°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
How does the job market in College Station compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 379 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 College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is College Station, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 379 mi and the route typically takes 7h 25m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is College Station more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 5.9% higher than McAllen (90.951 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 52.4% higher 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 · College Station, TX.