Moving from Eugene, OR to McAllen, TX
Cross-country relocations like Eugene, OR β McAllen, TX cover 2449 mi and about 43h 20m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2449 mi Β· 43h 20m by car Β· OR β CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Eugene | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.568 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 102.531 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.35 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen are 15.4% below Eugene β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 15.4% under Eugene at $473,231 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Eugene -0.3%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Eugene | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 18.7" |
NOAA normals show McAllen running 22.4Β°F above Eugene on the annual mean.
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: EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Eugene | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $63,836 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.98 |
Income steps down 15.4%: $63,836 in Eugene vs $60,165 in McAllen.
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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 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 (22.4Β°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 does the job market in McAllen compare to Eugene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,620 in the Eugene MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 155,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Eugene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $473,231 in Eugene β a 51.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Eugene vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $63,836 in Eugene β a 5.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Eugene to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2449 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Eugene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 15.4% lower than Eugene (85.895 vs 101.568, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Eugene, OR?
The driving distance is 2449 mi and the route typically takes 43h 20m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 5 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 Eugene.
City profiles: Eugene, OR Β· McAllen, TX.