Moving from Springfield, MO to McAllen, TX
It is 938 mi between Springfield and McAllen β roughly 16h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
938 mi Β· 16h 59m by car Β· MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, US 281, I 44 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 88.585 vs 85.895 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 3.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 18.7" |
Expect 19.1Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 3.0% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 β $60,165 on ACS 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 Missouri 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.1Β°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 does household income compare in Springfield vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 30.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 938 mi and the route typically takes 16h 59m via US 69 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 938 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 5.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 3.0% lower than Springfield (85.895 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· McAllen, TX.