Moving from Kent, WA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Kent, WA to McAllen, TX is a 2359 mi cross-country relocation β about 43h 28m of driving through 7 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.
2359 mi Β· 43h 28m by car Β· TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 84, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in McAllen is 22.7% lower than Kent β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in McAllen: 22.7% below Kent on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 18.7" |
Major climate step-up: 21.7Β°F warmer annual average in McAllen vs Kent.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 22.7% below Kent ($90,416 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 Washington 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 (21.7Β°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 Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $656,314 in Kent β a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2359 mi and the route typically takes 43h 28m via I 84 and US 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kent vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $90,416 in Kent β a 33.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 22.7% lower than Kent (85.895 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2359 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· McAllen, TX.