Moving from Mobile, AL to McAllen, TX
It is 812 mi between Mobile and McAllen β roughly 15h 14m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
812 mi Β· 15h 14m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mobile | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.098 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.185 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 60.116 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Mobile and McAllen sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in McAllen run about 2.5% pricier β ZHVI $194,564 β $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: Mobile -2.1%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mobile | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.5" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4Β°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mobile | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $51,090 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.98 |
Households in McAllen earn about 2.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McAllen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 49,560 | $22,940 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 42,390 | $22,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,950 | $34,890 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 28,370 | $58,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,190 | $23,220 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McAllen average 98Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Mobile vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $51,090 in Mobile β a 17.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Mobile?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $194,564 in Mobile β a 17.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Mobile, AL?
The driving distance is 812 mi and the route typically takes 15h 14m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than Mobile?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 2.5% lower than Mobile (85.895 vs 88.098, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Mobile?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $41,660 in the Mobile MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 169,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Mobile to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 812 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Mobile.
City profiles: Mobile, AL Β· McAllen, TX.