Moving from Beaumont, TX to McAllen, TX
It is a 434 mi drive, roughly 8h 26m, between Beaumont, TX and McAllen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
434 mi · 8h 26m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, I 69C, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Houston, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Beaumont | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.046 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.098 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.939 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.046 vs 85.895 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $166,671 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Beaumont +1.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Beaumont | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 65.1" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.0°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
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: BEAUMONT CITY, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Beaumont | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $57,530 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.98 |
Median household incomes in Beaumont ($57,530) and McAllen ($60,165) are within a few percent (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 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
When is the best time to move from Beaumont 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 434 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Beaumont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $166,671 in Beaumont — a 37.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Beaumont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $45,300 in the Beaumont MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 155,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Beaumont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 4.6% lower than Beaumont (85.895 vs 90.046, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Beaumont, TX?
The driving distance is 434 mi and the route typically takes 8h 26m via US 59 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Beaumont and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 69.5°F in Beaumont (6.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 65.1 in.
How does household income compare in Beaumont vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $57,530 in Beaumont — a 4.6% higher 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 Beaumont.
City profiles: Beaumont, TX · McAllen, TX.