Moving from College Station, TX to McAllen, TX
Moving from College Station, TX to McAllen, TX covers 379 mi and about 7h 25m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
379 mi · 7h 25m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, TX 21 |
| Major cities en route | Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen are 5.6% below College Station — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 5.6% under College Station at $349,041 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | College Station | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 6.1°F warmer on the annual average (69.4°F vs 75.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: COLLEGE STN, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 5.6% above College Station ($51,776 → $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.
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.
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.
- 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 does the job market in McAllen compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station 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 379 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 5.6% lower than College Station (85.895 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $349,041 in College Station — a 34.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $51,776 in College Station — a 16.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 379 mi and the route typically takes 7h 25m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX · McAllen, TX.