Moving from McAllen, TX to Orlando, FL
It is 1325 mi between McAllen and Orlando — roughly 24h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1325 mi · 24h 34m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Orlando runs about 18.1% more expensive overall than McAllen — RPP 85.895 → 101.418.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $229,001 in McAllen to $374,136 in Orlando, a 18.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 51.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 75.5°F vs 73.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orlando sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.46 |
Households in Orlando earn about 18.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
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 — 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 Orlando 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: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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
Is Orlando more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 18.1% higher than McAllen (101.418 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 15.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1325 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 75.5°F in McAllen (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 18.7 in.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 63.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Orlando, FL from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1325 mi and the route typically takes 24h 34m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 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 McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Orlando, FL.