Moving from Philadelphia, PA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Philadelphia, PA to McAllen, TX is a 1898 mi cross-country relocation — about 35h 27m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1898 mi · 35h 27m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 81, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen are 16.2% below Philadelphia — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 18.7" |
NOAA normals show McAllen running 17.8°F above Philadelphia on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.98 |
Household income lines up — $60,698 vs $60,165 on 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 Pennsylvania 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 — 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.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McAllen average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is McAllen more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.2% lower than Philadelphia (85.895 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 1898 mi and the route typically takes 35h 27m via I 59 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 0.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 1.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (17.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 50.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1898 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · McAllen, TX.