Moving from McAllen, TX to Inglewood, CA
Cross-country relocations like McAllen, TX β Inglewood, CA cover 1603 mi and about 27h 42m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1603 mi Β· 27h 42m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 32.2% pricier overall price level β 85.895 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Inglewood typical home at $763,568 is 32.2% above McAllen at $229,001 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 11.8" |
Climate cools by 11.0Β°F on the annual average β 75.5Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 34 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.93 |
Income steps up 32.2%: $60,165 in McAllen vs $71,029 in Inglewood.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1603 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Inglewood more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 32.2% higher than McAllen (113.566 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Inglewood, CA from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1603 mi and the route typically takes 27h 42m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 233.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 18.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Inglewood, CA.