Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to McAllen, TX
A 1507 mi cross-country move between Fort Lauderdale and McAllen is 27h 49m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1507 mi · 27h 49m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 114.155 in Fort Lauderdale to 85.895 in McAllen, a 24.8% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $508,474 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Lauderdale (76.9°F) and McAllen (75.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 24.8% less than Fort Lauderdale at the median — $79,935 → $60,165 on 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 Florida 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 1507 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 64.3 in.
Is McAllen more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 24.8% lower than Fort Lauderdale (85.895 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 55.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1507 mi and the route typically takes 27h 49m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · McAllen, TX.