Moving from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX
A move from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX covers 1147 mi and around 20h 44m of driving through 3 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.
1147 mi Β· 20h 44m by car Β· MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 95.088 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 9.7% below St. Louis on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 18.7" |
Major climate step-up: 17.5Β°F warmer annual average in McAllen vs St. Louis.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 9.7% above St. Louis ($55,279 β $60,165, 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 (17.5Β°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 St. Louis vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 8.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 9.7% lower than St. Louis (85.895 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1147 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 St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 1147 mi and the route typically takes 20h 44m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· McAllen, TX.