Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to McAllen, TX
A move from Port St. Lucie, FL to McAllen, TX covers 1426 mi and around 26h 16m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1426 mi Β· 26h 16m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
McAllen is 14.3% cheaper than Port St. Lucie overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Port St. Lucie (75.2Β°F) and McAllen (75.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 14.3% below Port St. Lucie ($78,137 vs $60,165, 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 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
How far is McAllen, TX from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 1426 mi and the route typically takes 26h 16m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 14.3% lower than Port St. Lucie (85.895 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 23.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1426 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 Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· McAllen, TX.