Moving from Garland, TX to McAllen, TX
It is 538 mi between Garland and McAllen β roughly 9h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
538 mi Β· 9h 27m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, TX 130 TOLL, I 69C |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | 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 |
Expect about 16.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Garland at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $286,805 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 9.7Β°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.98 |
Households in McAllen earn about 16.7% less at the median β 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.
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.
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.
- 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
Is McAllen more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than Garland (85.895 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 538 mi and the route typically takes 9h 27m via US 281 and TX 130 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 538 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Garland vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $74,717 in Garland β a 19.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $286,805 in Garland β a 20.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland 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 Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· McAllen, TX.