Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to McAllen, TX
A 1635 mi cross-country move between Thousand Oaks and McAllen is 28h 17m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1635 mi Β· 28h 17m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 22.3% cheaper overall price level β 110.534 β 85.895 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
22.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 13.0Β°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 22.3% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 (13.0Β°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 far is McAllen, TX from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 1635 mi and the route typically takes 28h 17m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 78.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 55.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 22.3% lower than Thousand Oaks (85.895 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1635 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 Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· McAllen, TX.