Moving from Clarksville, TN to McAllen, TX
A move from Clarksville, TN to McAllen, TX covers 1184 mi and around 21h 5m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1184 mi · 21h 5m by car · TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 40, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Plano, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 90.947 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 5.6% below Clarksville on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in McAllen: 5.6% below Clarksville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 18.7" |
Major climate step-up: 16.3°F warmer annual average in McAllen vs Clarksville.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 5.6% below Clarksville ($66,786 → $60,165, 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 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 (16.3°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 far is McAllen, TX from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 1184 mi and the route typically takes 21h 5m via I 30 and I 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville 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 1184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (16.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 53.5 in.
Is McAllen more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 5.6% lower than Clarksville (85.895 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 9.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 28.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · McAllen, TX.