Moving from Wichita, KS to McAllen, TX
It is 871 mi between Wichita and McAllen — roughly 15h 9m 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.
871 mi · 15h 9m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 281, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.4% above Wichita — $202,720 → $229,001 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wichita | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.8°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.98 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Kansas 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.8°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 Wichita vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $63,072 in Wichita — a 4.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 871 mi and the route typically takes 15h 9m via I 35 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 3.4% lower than Wichita (85.895 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Wichita 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 871 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Wichita and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 57.7°F in Wichita (17.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 12.7 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 34.3 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $202,720 in Wichita — a 13.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS · McAllen, TX.