Moving from Chattanooga, TN to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1166 mi from Chattanooga to McAllen is a 21h 40m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1166 mi · 21h 40m by car · TN → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.1% moving from Chattanooga to McAllen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $319,579 in Chattanooga to $229,001 in McAllen, a 6.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 18.7" |
Expect 13.6°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.98 |
Household income lines up — $61,028 vs $60,165 on 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.
Moving between Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 (13.6°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
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (13.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 55.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga 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 1166 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 Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 28.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 6.1% lower than Chattanooga (85.895 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 1166 mi and the route typically takes 21h 40m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 1.4% 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 Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · McAllen, TX.