Moving from Austin, TX to McAllen, TX
Moving from Austin, TX to McAllen, TX covers 315 mi and about 5h 49m 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.
315 mi · 5h 49m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
McAllen is 12.4% cheaper than Austin overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 12.4% below Austin — $508,530 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 5.5°F warmer on the annual average (70.0°F vs 75.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 12.4% below Austin ($91,461 vs $60,165, ACS 5-year 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
What is the climate difference between Austin and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 70.0°F in Austin (5.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 36.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 315 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 315 mi and the route typically takes 5h 49m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $508,530 in Austin — a 55.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.4% lower than Austin (85.895 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Austin vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $91,461 in Austin — a 34.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · McAllen, TX.