Moving from Palm Bay, FL to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1380 mi from Palm Bay to McAllen is a 25h 45m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1380 mi Β· 25h 45m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.1% moving from Palm Bay to McAllen β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $302,461 in Palm Bay to $229,001 in McAllen, a 14.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 18.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.6Β°F vs 75.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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: PALM BAY, FL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 14.1% lower in McAllen than Palm Bay.
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 Florida 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
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1380 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 14.1% lower than Palm Bay (85.895 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 1380 mi and the route typically takes 25h 45m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 24.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 236,890 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 Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· McAllen, TX.