Moving from Arvada, CO to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1185 mi from Arvada to McAllen is a 21h 24m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1185 mi · 21h 24m by car · TX → NM → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, US 281, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Pueblo, Colorado Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.8% moving from Arvada to McAllen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $616,566 in Arvada to $229,001 in McAllen, a 18.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 25.2°F — 50.3°F in Arvada vs 75.5°F in McAllen, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.8% — $113,396 → $60,165 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Colorado 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 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 (25.2°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
Is McAllen more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 18.8% lower than Arvada (85.895 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 50.3°F in Arvada (25.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 17.1 in.
How far is McAllen, TX from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1185 mi and the route typically takes 21h 24m via US 87 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arvada 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 1185 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 46.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 62.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · McAllen, TX.