Moving from McAllen, TX to Hollywood, FL
A 1516 mi cross-country move between McAllen and Hollywood is 27h 55m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1516 mi Β· 27h 55m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Hollywood is 32.9% more expensive than McAllen on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $229,001 in McAllen to $439,400 in Hollywood, a 32.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 65.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.5Β°F vs 76.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 34 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.53 |
Households in Hollywood earn about 32.9% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 91.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1516 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 8.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hollywood more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 32.9% higher than McAllen (114.155 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hollywood, FL from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1516 mi and the route typically takes 27h 55m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 285,850 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 McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Hollywood, FL.