Moving from Downey, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Downey, CA to McAllen, TX is a 1591 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 25m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1591 mi Β· 27h 25m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen come in 24.4% under Downey β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 24.4% under Downey at $888,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 10.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 75.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 37 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 24.4% below Downey ($87,400 vs $60,165, 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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 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 (10.6Β°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 Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1591 mi and the route typically takes 27h 25m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1591 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 24.4% lower than Downey (85.895 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Downey vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $87,400 in Downey β a 31.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $888,710 in Downey β a 74.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 6,185,570 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· McAllen, TX.