Moving from Amarillo, TX to McAllen, TX
It is 744 mi between Amarillo and McAllen — roughly 13h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 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.
744 mi · 13h 11m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, US 83, I 27 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.5% cheaper overall in McAllen than Amarillo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.5% above Amarillo — $206,787 → $229,001 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Amarillo | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.6°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: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 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.
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 (18.6°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.
Frequently asked
How far is McAllen, TX from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 744 mi and the route typically takes 13h 11m via US 281 and US 83. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 6.5% lower than Amarillo (85.895 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $206,787 in Amarillo — a 10.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $62,469 in Amarillo — a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo 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 744 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX · McAllen, TX.