Moving from Waco, TX to McAllen, TX
Moving from Waco, TX to McAllen, TX covers 407 mi and about 7h 40m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
407 mi · 7h 40m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 92.55 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 7.2% below Waco on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: McAllen at $229,001 is 7.2% above Waco at $194,245.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 8.9°F warmer on the annual average (66.6°F vs 75.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 7.2% above Waco ($51,468 → $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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Waco and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 66.6°F in Waco (8.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 37.5 in.
How does household income compare in Waco vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $51,468 in Waco — a 16.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $194,245 in Waco — a 17.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 407 mi and the route typically takes 7h 40m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Waco to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 407 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 7.2% lower than Waco (85.895 vs 92.55, 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · McAllen, TX.