Moving from Brownsville, TX to McAllen, TX
It is a 57 mi drive, roughly 1h 10m, between Brownsville, TX and McAllen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
57 mi Β· 1h 10m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, I 69E, US 77 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.1% above Brownsville β $195,993 β $229,001 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 18.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 0.1% more than Brownsville at the median β $48,675 β $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.
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 far is McAllen, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 57 mi and the route typically takes 1h 10m via US 83 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 57 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 0.1% lower than Brownsville (85.895 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 23.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 16.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· McAllen, TX.