Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1348 mi from Cedar Rapids to McAllen is a 24h 13m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1348 mi Β· 24h 13m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 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 3.4% above Cedar Rapids β $204,112 β $229,001 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 27.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.4% lower in McAllen than Cedar Rapids.
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 Iowa 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (27.2Β°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 far is McAllen, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1348 mi and the route typically takes 24h 13m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 12.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 3.4% lower than Cedar Rapids (85.895 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1348 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 11.3% 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 Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· McAllen, TX.