Moving from Boise City, ID to McAllen, TX
A 1875 mi cross-country move between Boise City and McAllen is 34h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1875 mi · 34h 22m by car · ID → UT → CO → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | ID → UT → CO → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, I 84, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.7% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Boise City at 98.391.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City —, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boise City | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 18.7" |
Expect 22.3°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 12.7% less than Boise City at the median — $81,308 → $60,165 on 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.
Moving between Idaho 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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 (22.3°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
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 1875 mi and the route typically takes 34h 22m via US 84 and I 84. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Boise City 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 1875 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $81,308 in Boise City — a 26.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.7% lower than Boise City (85.895 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Boise City and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 53.2°F in Boise City (22.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 11.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID · McAllen, TX.