Moving from Arlington, TX to McAllen, TX
A move from Arlington, TX to McAllen, TX covers 522 mi and around 9h 8m of driving through 1 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
522 mi Β· 9h 8m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, TX 130 TOLL, I 69C |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.09 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 16.7% below Arlington on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in McAllen: 16.7% below Arlington on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 8.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 75.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 16.7% below Arlington ($73,519 β $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 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.
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.
- 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 Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 522 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than Arlington (85.895 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 18.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 522 mi and the route typically takes 9h 8m via US 281 and TX 130 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· McAllen, TX.