Moving from Huntsville, AL to McAllen, TX
It is 1108 mi between Huntsville and McAllen — roughly 20h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1108 mi · 20h 35m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.7% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Huntsville at 93.072.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $287,569 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 12.6°F moving to McAllen per 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: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.98 |
Households in McAllen earn about 7.7% less at the median — 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 Alabama 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.6°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
Is McAllen more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 7.7% lower than Huntsville (85.895 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (12.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 54.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville 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 1108 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 20.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 1108 mi and the route typically takes 20h 35m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 15.0% 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 Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · McAllen, TX.