Moving from Dallas, TX to McAllen, TX
Relocating 523 mi from Dallas to McAllen is a 9h 7m drive through 1 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.
523 mi · 9h 7m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 35E, TX 130 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.7% cheaper overall in McAllen than Dallas on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 18.7" |
Expect 7.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.7% lower in McAllen than Dallas.
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 far is McAllen, TX from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 523 mi and the route typically takes 9h 7m via US 281 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than Dallas (85.895 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 68.0°F in Dallas (7.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 38.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 523 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 11.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 26.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,966,500 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 Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · McAllen, TX.