Moving from St. Paul, MN to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1499 mi from St. Paul to McAllen is a 26h 15m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1499 mi Β· 26h 15m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 18.1% cheaper overall in McAllen than St. Paul on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 29.0Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 18.1% lower in McAllen than St. Paul.
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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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 (29.0Β°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 the job market in McAllen compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1499 mi and the route typically takes 26h 15m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 18.1% lower than St. Paul (85.895 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1499 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 17.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· McAllen, TX.