Moving from Salem, OR to McAllen, TX
It is 2351 mi and 43h 6m from Salem to McAllen β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2351 mi Β· 43h 6m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Vancouver, Gresham, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 17.1% moving from Salem 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 $436,318 in Salem to $229,001 in McAllen, a 17.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.4Β°F β 54.1Β°F in Salem vs 75.5Β°F in McAllen, 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: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 17.1% lower in McAllen than Salem.
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 Oregon 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 98Β°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 (21.4Β°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
How far is McAllen, TX from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2351 mi and the route typically takes 43h 6m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Salem vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $71,900 in Salem β a 16.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 17.1% lower than Salem (85.895 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salem to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $436,318 in Salem β a 47.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· McAllen, TX.